President Muizzu Calls Referendum on Holding Presidential and Majlis Elections Together

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has issued Presidential Decree No. 2/2026, announcing a public referendum to seek the views of the people on holding the Presidential and People’s Majlis elections concurrently.

The proposed constitutional amendment, passed by the People’s Majlis on 10 February 2026 during its second sitting of the first session for the year, also stipulates the commencement date of the term of the People’s Majlis.

Under Article 262(b) of the Constitution and Section 5(a) of the Public Referendum Act (Act No. 2025/15), constitutional amendments of this nature must be submitted to a public referendum before the President can ratify them. Article 262(b) requires that a Bill amending the Constitution can only be ratified if approved by a majority of votes cast in a referendum. Section 31 of the Public Referendum Act further requires the President to publish the results in the Government Gazette within 15 days if the amendment is approved, while a failed referendum renders the Bill void.

The question to be put to voters is:
“Do you approve the ratification of the Eighth Amendment to the Constitution, which provides for the Presidential and People’s Majlis elections to be held concurrently and for a change to the term of the People’s Majlis?”

The referendum is scheduled for Saturday, 4 April 2026, and will be held alongside the Local Council and Women’s Development Committee elections.

Following the decree, the Elections Commission has been tasked with making the necessary arrangements to conduct the referendum in accordance with the law.

This move comes as part of the government’s efforts to engage the public directly on key constitutional changes affecting the electoral process.