COLOMBO, June 26 : Lawmakers in the Maldives on Thursday approved a new constitution that will clear the way for the country’s first multi-party presidential election, a minister said.

A constitutional assembly voted in favour of the new constitution, part of a reform process begun four years ago, Information Minister said. Under the new constitution, the atoll nation of 360,000 Muslims must hold its first multi-party presidential election before Oct 10, he said.

Political parties were recognised in mid-2005 when President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom launched reforms in the face of pro-democracy protests. Before that it was illegal for anyone to step forward as a presidential candidate.—AFP