Referendum Programmes Focus on Voter Education, Not Political Parties, PSM Says
Managing Director pf PSM, Ahmed Shakeeb | Photo: PSM
Public Service Media (PSM) said its awareness programmes on the 4 April referendum focus on educating the public about the administrative and operational aspects of the elections, and do not provide screen time for political parties.
The referendum will ask the public whether the President should ratify the 8th Amendment to the Constitution, which mandates holding parliamentary and presidential elections together. The amendment also states that parliamentary elections shall be held simultaneously with the presidential election under Article 110 of the Constitution. Following the expiration of the term and dissolution of the sitting parliament, the first session of the newly elected parliament will convene on 1 December. The term of parliament will be five years from that date, after which it will be dissolved.
“Instead of giving the opportunity to political parties, we have chosen experienced former parliamentarians to speak on these programmes. So far, no representative from any political party has been invited to discuss this as a party representative,” PSM said in a public letter.
— Public Service Media (@psm_mkt) March 16, 2026
The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) had requested a meeting with PSM Managing Director Ahmed Shakeeb, alleging that the company is operating in violation of the law, failing to provide opportunities for political parties, and using its platform to support the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC), particularly in programmes related to the upcoming elections.
Yesterday, after informing PSM that they would visit the office at 1 pm, MDP representatives gathered outside the premises. As Shakeeb is currently abroad for the Umrah pilgrimage, the party requested to meet whoever was in charge in his absence. MDP left the office after PSM scheduled a meeting with the party today at 2:30 pm.
In a public letter posted today, PSM reiterated that Shakeeb is abroad and a meeting can be arranged once he returns. The company emphasised that it operates in accordance with the Public Service Media Act and urged the MDP not to spread information that could create public unrest. PSM also reminded the party that it fulfilled its obligations during previous MDP-led administrations.
However, in a statement today, MDP doubled down, saying PSM, which is mandated to educate the public on national matters and provide equal opportunities, has consistently failed to give the ‘No’ campaign the same platform as the government-backed campaign supporting the constitutional change.
