Parliamentary Committee Approves Post-Ramadan Election Amendment

The parliamentary committee has greenlit an amendment proposed by the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) aimed at preventing elections from coinciding with the month of Ramadan.

Following deliberations, the committee passed the amendment to the electoral law, agreeing to schedule elections for a period 10 days after the conclusion of Ramadan, as advocated by the MDP.

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In response to a request from the Election Commission of Maldives (ECM), the committee addressed the necessity of promptly conducting the upcoming parliamentary elections within a reasonable timeframe following the end of Ramadan.

Although the ECM recommended no alterations to the election date bill, adjustments were made to the legislation in accordance with the commission’s directives. Ultimately, the committee endorsed the MDP’s proposal in the initial phase, resulting in the unanimous approval of the amendment to postpone elections until 10 days after Ramadan.

The confluence of this year’s 20th Parliamentary elections with Ramadan prompted the need for legislative action. Notably, the ECM had initially scheduled the elections to commence in the first week of Ramadan, commencing in March. 

Therefore, the amendment tabled by Ihavandu MP Mohamed Shifaau on behalf of the MDP sought to amend the General Election Act to ensure a 10-day buffer between the conclusion of Ramadan and the polling day.