The Parliamentary Committee overseeing independent institutions has endorsed a government-backed proposal to align presidential and parliamentary elections by holding both votes on the same date in the future.
The proposed constitutional change was submitted by Ibrahim Falah, who leads the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) parliamentary group. Committee members approved the amendment without any changes, reaching consensus in a meeting that lasted only a few minutes.
At present, national elections are staggered, with presidential polls held in September and parliamentary elections conducted the following April, resulting in voters heading to the ballot box twice within a single five-year cycle.
If adopted, the new arrangement would slightly reduce the tenure of the current Parliament, which began its term on May 28, 2024, trimming it by approximately half a year.
Under the proposal, the first synchronized presidential and parliamentary election would be held in 2028. The amendment has now been sent to the full Parliament for debate and a final vote.
Given the PNC’s overwhelming majority in the legislature, passage of the bill is widely expected. However, the change cannot take effect without public approval through a nationwide referendum.
The ruling party has indicated its intention to hold the referendum alongside the upcoming Local Council Elections scheduled for April 4. According to Elections Commission President Mohamed Zahid, this timeline would require the constitutional amendment to become law no later than February 18.
President Mohamed Muizzu initially revealed plans to combine the two major elections last year. The proposal has since sparked political debate, with strong resistance from much of the opposition.
While former President Mohamed Nasheed has publicly welcomed the idea, several prominent opposition figures have spoken against it. These include Maldivian Democratic Party leaders such as former chairperson Fayyaz Ismail and former Vice President Faisal Naseem, as well as former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, who now heads the People’s National Front.
