According to the present constitution, political parties are allowed.

But members of an opposition party set up last year say they are banned in the Maldives.

Mohammed Latheef, leader of the banned party, the Maldivian Democratic Party, welcomed the proposed changes, but said he was unsure whether they would work.

"It is not the constitution which needs to change it's the political cadre which runs the country," says Mr Latheef.

MALDIVES BASICS 1,200 islands in archipelago Population is over 300,000 Majority is Sunni Muslim One-party rule since 1978 Low-lying islands vulnerable to rise in sea-levels

"So long as the government continues to arrest and lock people up on trumped charges simply because they dare to say something which is critical, then any proposed reforms will be viewed with great cynicism."

Mr Latheef says the present constitution gave people of Maldives "a wide range of fundamental rights".

"(But) none of them are honoured by Mr Gayoom."

Opponents of the government say it is responsible for arbitrary arrests, detention without trial and torture in prison.