Maumoon Abdul Gayoom (born December 29, 1937) has been the president of the Republic of Maldives since November 11, 1978, having succeeded Ibrahim Nasir. He was last re-elected to a sixth five-year term in October 2003 with 90.28% of the vote. He was the sole candidate, having been chosen by the Majlis or Assembly. The election is carried out as a referendum and a yes or no vote is chosen by the public.
Gayoom has been harshly criticized by many for his autocratic rule, and he is widely considered to be a dictator. According to Amnesty International, in the year 2003 "there were severe restrictions on freedom of the press, and political parties were unable to function." Anti-government riots broke out in the country in September 2003 following a prison shooting incident. Opposition to the president has come in the form of the Maldivian Democratic Party. Political prisoners are often banished to remote atolls. However, many Maldivians believe that the progress the country has achieved in the last two decades would not have been possible without Gayoom's efforts.
Gayoom was also the defense minister and finance minister of Maldives for a long time, but gave up these positions on September 1, 2004, following international pressure, and media and public ridicule.
Gayoom has four children and three grandchildren.
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