The government of the Maldives has stated that its manifesto does not include calling for a vote on changing the system of governance. The government made the statement in response to remarks made by Speaker of Parliament Mohamed Nasheed, who claimed that one of the most important pledges made in the manifesto formulated by the ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) for the 2018 presidential election was to call for a vote on changing the system of governance.
Speaking at a press conference, the Spokesperson Miuvaan Mohamed refuted the claim and said the manifesto being implemented by the administration is the one formulated with the other parties in the ruling coalition. He added that no decision was made to call for such a vote at the MDP Congress in 2018 or 2022.
The most contentious topic at the MDP Congress 2022 was the vote to establish a parliamentary system in the Maldives. However, Speaker Nasheed, who is the President of MDP, withdrew his proposal before it reached the debate stage. He said that he held meetings with President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih during the congress and concluded that further discussions were needed with party members. Prior to the MDP Congress, President Solih called on Nasheed to withdraw the proposal to vote on establishing a parliamentary system.