The Democrats Propose Referendum on Governance System Change

The Democrats, led by Hulhudhoo MP Ilyas Labeeb, have proposed a motion to the parliament for a general referendum aimed at evaluating the need for a governance system change by November 30, 2023, in response to ongoing concerns regarding the existing electoral procedures.

Ilyas argued that the current system forces voters to prioritise the removal of administrations over addressing pressing public needs and demands. 

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He pointed out that political detentions have led to certain individuals and their supporters working tirelessly to secure their release, thereby influencing the voting process.

Additionally, Ilyas highlighted a recurring issue in Maldives’ elections, where no candidate has been able to secure more than 50 percent of the votes in the first round without forming alliances, which often leads to conflicts during their term, hindering the government’s developmental efforts.

To gauge the public’s perspective on changing the governance system in the Maldives, Ilyas Labeeb proposed holding a referendum before November 30, 2023. He emphasised that it is essential for the public to have a say in determining the preferred system of governance.

It is worth noting that the last referendum regarding the governance system in the Maldives took place on August 18, 2007, during the tenure of former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, where the public opted to retain the presidential system.