Solih Questions Plan to Hold Presidential and Parliamentary Elections Together

Former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has criticised the government’s proposal to hold the presidential and parliamentary elections simultaneously, stating that such a pledge was not included in the manifesto of President Mohamed Muizzu.

The government plans to hold a referendum alongside the upcoming local council elections to seek public approval on whether the presidential and parliamentary elections should be conducted at the same time.

Speaking at a campaign rally of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) in Kaafu Maafushi last evening, Solih said the referendum was being proposed in an unclear manner and that the public had not been adequately informed about its implications.

“A leader comes to power with promises to the people and a manifesto. Is that in the promise book of the current President Muizzu?” Solih asked while addressing supporters.

Solih argued that Muizzu had not made any commitment during his presidential campaign to combine the two national elections. He also said the issue had not been raised during the campaign period leading up to the parliamentary elections held after Muizzu assumed office.

The former president further questioned how the proposal would affect the current terms of elected officials.

“There are people who were elected for five years. Did it show that they are being elected for four years and six months? There is no such thing,” he said.

According to Solih, the public does not support merging the two elections simply to reduce costs, referring to government estimates that combining the polls could save approximately MVR 60 million.

He also expressed concern over potential constitutional changes linked to the proposal, saying the government appeared to be amending the Constitution as it wished.

“The Constitution has not been drafted without thinking,” Solih said.

The government has amended the Constitution to hold both the presidential and parliamentary elections on the same day, a move that will shorten the term of the current parliament by six months. The Elections Commission of Maldives has announced that the referendum on the change will be held on 4 April alongside the local council elections.