Opposition MP Ameen Faisal on Tuesday proposed introducing a mechanism to hold a referendum in the middle of a president’s term, arguing that citizens should have the right to assess whether the government is delivering on its promises.
The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) lawmaker made the suggestion during a parliamentary debate on a bill submitted by the government to establish a legal framework for national referendums. The proposed legislation is part of President Mohamed Muizzu’s broader constitutional reform agenda.
“If a mid-term referendum is held from the next presidential term, it would show how the people view the ruling party — whether they are doing it right or not, and how the public feels about the fulfilment of promises,” Ameen said.
His primary criticism of the bill was the absence of provisions that allow the public to directly trigger a referendum.
“People have petitioned and voted in other countries. However, this bill does not include anything like that. If it is to empower the people, the first thing to include is a system where people can take a referendum on what they want,” he said.
The proposed legislation, introduced by Ibrahim Falaah, parliamentary group leader of the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC), outlines the procedures and legal conditions for holding national referendums. It allows the president to call referendums by decree on matters deemed to be of national importance, in addition to those requiring parliamentary approval.
According to the bill, the Elections Commission must organise a referendum within 45 to 90 days of receiving a request. All citizens aged 18 and above would be eligible to vote via secret ballot.
The bill would enable referendums on significant national and constitutional issues, including changes to fundamental rights, presidential powers and term length, the electoral system, and parliamentary composition. Referendum questions could be bundled into a single vote and withdrawn at any time before the Elections Commission sets a polling date.
The legislative push follows Muizzu’s announcement in his presidential address that his administration would establish a framework for national referendums. He has also proposed adopting a preferential voting system for presidential elections to avoid costly run-off rounds.
Muizzu has further suggested moving the presidential swearing-in date from 17 November to 11 November, Republic Day. The current inauguration date was established following delays and legal disputes during the 2013 election cycle. The president has also floated the idea of holding presidential and parliamentary elections on the same day, though no bill has yet been submitted.