The Election Commission of Maldives (ECM) has reminded eligible voters that the opportunity to re-register for the local council elections, women’s development committee elections, and the constitutional referendum on merging parliamentary and presidential elections will expire on 22 February.
With 4 April set as the crucial date for these combined elections and referendum, citizens have only until 3:00 pm on 22 February to update their registration details. The window for changing polling stations opened on 10 February for the local council elections while re-registration for the referendum commenced on 18 February.
Voters can submit their applications through two digital platforms—registration portal (form.elections.gov.mv) which requires submission of an official voter ID copy and a live photograph while the My Portal (my.elections.gov.mv) is only accessible via a verified eFaas account, eliminating the need for additional documentation.
The proposed constitutional amendment, which provides for the Presidential and parliamentary elections to be conducted concurrently and stipulates the commencement date of the term of the Parliament, was passed on 10 February.
The amendments contained in the Bill fall within the category of constitutional changes which, under Article 262(b) of the Constitution and Section 5(a) of the Public Referendum Act, must be submitted to a public referendum prior to ratification by the President.
Article 262(b) of the Constitution provides that where a Bill seeking to amend the Constitution is passed by the Parliament, the President shall ratify the Bill only if it is approved by a majority of votes cast in a public referendum held for that purpose.
In addition, the relevant law stipulates that where a majority of votes cast in the referendum are in favour of the amendment, the President must ratify the Bill and publish it in the Government Gazette within 15 days of the official announcement of the results. If the amendment fails to obtain a majority of votes, the Bill shall be deemed void.
The ECM has also invited complaints regarding the referendum before the bill’s final approval. Official results will be declared on 11 April.