Maldives to hold referendum on concurrent presidential, parliamentary polls

By Anadolu staff

ISTANBUL (AA) - Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu on Monday issued a decree calling a public referendum to seek voters’ views on holding presidential and parliamentary elections concurrently.

The referendum is linked to a proposed constitutional amendment passed by the People’s Majlis on Feb. 10 that would allow the two elections to be held at the same time and set the start date of the parliament’s term, according to a statement from the president’s office.

Under Maldivian law, the president can ratify a constitutional amendment approved by the People’s Majlis only after it is endorsed by a majority of votes cast in a public referendum.

The referendum will be held on April 4 alongside local council and women’s development committee elections, the statement said.

The decree instructs the country’s election commission to make the necessary arrangements to conduct the referendum in line with the law.

The last presidential election in the Maldives was held in September 2023, while the most recent parliamentary election took place in April 2024.

The ruling People’s National Congress won 68 seats in the 93-member parliament.