Parliament on Tuesday passed a government-backed bill to amend the Constitution and hold parliamentary and presidential elections on the same day.
The ruling People’s National Congress (PNC)-controlled parliament approved the legislation, with 72 lawmakers voting in favour and one against. Abdul Rahman, an independent member representing the Meedhoo constituency in Addu Atoll, opposed the amendment. The main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) boycotted the vote after four of its members were expelled from the chamber.
The speaker also participated in the vote, adding to the government’s margin, as the PNC used its supermajority in parliament to secure passage.
The bill was cleared earlier on Monday by the Standing Committee on Independent Institutions in about five minutes, without amendments and with limited debate. The proposal was submitted by PNC parliamentary group leader Ibrahim Falah.
The amendment requires parliamentary elections to be held on the same day as presidential elections and moves the first sitting of a newly elected parliament to 1 December. If adopted through a referendum, the change would shorten the term of the current 20th Parliament by six months, ending it on 1 December 2028. The bill also requires all administrative arrangements for the new parliament to be completed before that date.
President Mohamed Muizzu earlier said any constitutional amendment would follow a public referendum. Attorney General Ahmed Usham later said the referendum would take place after parliamentary approval. Under the proposed process, the president would ratify the amendment and then formally request the Elections Commission to hold a referendum. If voters reject the proposal, the amendment would be annulled.
The government plans to fast-track the referendum alongside local council elections scheduled for April. The Elections Commission has said it can organise the vote if it receives a formal request before 18 February.