The President’s Office was established on 11 November 1968 with the adoption of the Second Republic in 1968. The President’s Office administers functions and activities to facilitate the President exercising executive authority as provided for in the Constitution and law.

Offices of the President’s Office and their functions:

Cabinet Office (CBO)

The Cabinet Office was established, firstly to coordinate the activities of the cabinet and to provide technical assistance and secretarial support to the cabinet, secondly to provide all the necessary information and assistance to the President if and when the President is been held answerable and accountable to the People’s Majlis and to assist the President in carrying out his responsibilities regarding elections, public referendums, protection of the constitution and with regards to his role as the Head of State and Head of the Government. Finally, it is to carry out the functions of establishing and abolishing government ministries, departments, offices and other such agencies and appoint, transfer and termination of political staff are also functions of the Cabinet Office. Public Service Training Unit functions under the Cabinet Office and has a mandate of providing the required skills and training programs in order to facilitate the administrative reform process and improve service delivery.

Main subdivisions:

• Presidential Appointments
• Cabinet Committees
• Governance Reform
• Public Service Training Unit
• Cabinet Secretariat

Executive Service Office (ESO)

The Executive Service Office was established to administer the Secretariat of the President and the Vice President and for the purposes of administering the responsibilities of presidential appointments, visits, meetings and functions held by and attended by the President and the Vice President.

Main Subdivisions:

• Secretariat of the President
• Secretariat of the Vice President

Policy Office (POO)

Policy Office was established to provide assistance in formulating government policies, monitor and evaluate the progress of these policies and projects and to provide technical advice as well as secretarial support for evaluation and development of government policies and projects.

Main subdivisions:

• Policy Development
• Monitoring and Environment
• Economic Development
• Social Justice
• Governance

Press Office (PRO)

Press Office was established to prepare all press releases, gazettes and prepare speeches, addresses, statements and interviews given by the President. All publications of the President’s Office are administered by this office. It is also a function of the Press Office to process letters and cases put forward and addressed to the President by individuals and private entities and process requests for pardon and requests for reducing sentences. Press office also administers the work related to presidential trophies, shields, and awards, and also work related to giving awards, medals and honorary titles, by the law.

Main subdivisions:

• Press and Publication
• Communications
• Public Relations

Finance and Administration Office (FAO)

The functions of the Administration section is to manage human resources of the office, provide technical solutions, plan and coordinate the allocation of mandate and functions of the office, oversee the coordination of activities, and manage the provision of general services.

The functions of the Finance section is to manage budget, accounts, properties, oversee maintenance needs, construction requirements, procurements and housekeeping needs.

The functions of the Information Systems unit are to arrange for quality computer systems, also provide software application development or offer solutions for the software problems. They also check and maintain the computer systems of the office.

Main subdivisions:

• Administration
• Finance
• Information Systems

Legal Affairs Office (LAO)

The functions of the Legal Affairs Office include the submission of Bills, international treaties signed by the Executive, and other matters requiring approval of the Parliament under the Constitution, to the parliament. It also administers the process of the presidential assent to the Bills passed by the parliament.

The Legal Affairs Office is responsible for getting the necessary legal advice and providing assistance to the President in carrying out his responsibilities with regard to the protection of the Constitution, and as the Head of State and the Head of Government. It also provides legal opinion on issues requested by other Offices of the President’s Office, and handles legal matters received by the President’s Office. The Legal Affairs Office further ensures that the President Office is kept up to date with parliamentary proceedings.

Secretariat of the Chief of Staff (SCS)

Secretariat of the Chief of Staff was established to oversee and coordinate overall functions of the Offices of the President’s Office. It is also a responsibility of the Secretariat to provide secretarial support for the meetings involved by the Chief of Staff. It also provides secretarial support to the Senior Executives of this Office.

State House (SH)

State House was established to provide assistance and secretarial support when the President resides in the State House.