Solih Calls for Parliamentary Elections to Be Held Mid-Term of an Administration

Parliamentary elections should be held mid-term of an administration, 2.5 years into a presidency, to allow voters to judge the government’s performance and hold it accountable, former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih said yesterday at a campaign event in Lhaviyani Kurendhoo.

Solih criticised the current electoral framework, under which parliamentary elections take place three months after a presidential poll. He argued that this timing enables the sitting president to exert undue influence to secure control of parliament. He said this pattern has repeated across administrations, noting that former president Abdulla Yameen secured a majority after taking office, that he himself obtained a larger majority during his presidency, and that President Muizzu later secured an even greater one.

He proposed instead holding parliamentary elections halfway through a presidential term so the electorate can vote based on the administration’s track record. He also suggested reducing the parliamentary term to 2.5 years to strengthen public oversight and called for a mechanism to hold a president accountable midway through the term. The Majlis, in its current form, cannot effectively ensure accountability, he said, adding that he does not believe the public should support the proposed changes.

His remarks come as Parliament passed a government-backed constitutional amendment to merge presidential and parliamentary elections and shorten the term of the current legislature. The bill was approved with 72 votes in favour and one against, after receiving endorsement without amendment from the Independent Institutions Committee following a brief meeting lasting around five minutes.

The legislation was proposed by ruling party MP Ibrahim Falah, parliamentary group leader of the People’s National Congress (PNC). It seeks to align future parliamentary elections with presidential elections and change the date of the first sitting of a newly elected parliament to December.

If enacted, the amendment would reduce the term of the current 20th Parliament by six months, with its mandate set to expire on 1 December 2028. It also requires all administrative arrangements for the new parliament to be completed before that date.

Solih urged the public to reflect carefully on the referendum to hold the two elections together and to question the speed at which the bill moved through parliament. Such a significant decision, he said, warrants thorough debate. He suggested there may be ulterior motives behind bringing the vote to the public so quickly.

ކުރިއަށްއޮތް ލޯކަލް ކައުންސިލްތަކުގެ އިންތިޚާބުގެ ކެންޕެއިނަށް ރައީސް @ibusolih ޅ. ކުރެންދޫއަށް ވަޑައިގަތުމުން ހޫނު މަރުޙަބާއެއް! #HeyvallaThayyaaru
#GearUp
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#WDC2026 #VoteMDP pic.twitter.com/HcX5UJbtql— MDP Secretariat (@MDPSecretariat) February 15, 2026

Turning to local politics, Solih encouraged voters to back candidates running on an MDP ticket, even where strong PNC contenders are in the race. He said MDP understands how to serve people within a decentralised system and is better equipped to strengthen local governance. He questioned what had been delivered on presidential campaign pledges for the island and said no substantive progress had been made. Under MDP administrations, he added, islands prosper.

He concluded that if President Muizzu were acting with genuine intent to serve the public, he would consult citizens, civil society organisations, lawyers, legal experts, the judiciary and political parties to ensure reforms are carried out in the most beneficial manner.