The Deputy Speaker of Maldives’ Parliament and Member of Parliament for the Dhiggaru Constituency, Ahmed Nazim has revealed that deliberations were previously held at the People’s Special Parliament on holding the Presidential elections and Parliamentary elections on the same day.
A public referendum is scheduled to take place on the 4 April, alongside the Local Council and Women’s Development Committee elections. The referendum will determine whether the country’s presidential and parliamentary elections should be merged into a single nationwide vote.
The Deputy Speaker has strongly rejected narratives in social media stating that no debate was undertaken at the People’s Special Parliament in relation to the subject of joint elections.
Addressing these narratives, the Deputy Speaker reiterated that debates were previously held at the People’s Special Parliament on holding the Presidential elections and Parliamentary elections on the same day. Deputy Speaker pointed out three key decisions that were finalised during the session based on proposals submitted as key evidence of the debate having taken place.
Deputy Speaker Nazim said the amendments moved in the Special Parliament were moved by Members of Parliament, Ibrahim Ismail, Ali Waheed and Shaheen Hameed. The papers related to the amendments were shared by Deputy Speaker on social media. All three amendments shared had proposed the merging of two elections.
April 4 Elections will consist of three key votes. They are the vote to elect councilors for island and city councils, the election of members to the Women’s Development Committee, and the vote to merge the presidential and parliamentary elections.
It is common standard of procedure internationally to hold such referendums along with general elections.