The Parliament has passed regulations on how to conduct public referendums to seek public opinion. Under the Public Referendum Act, the Parliament can decide by resolution to hold a public referendum on matters it deems important to seek public opinion. Additionally, a public referendum can be held to gauge public opinion on a bill to amend the Constitution that the President has returned without ratification.
According to the regulations formulated by the Parliament, individual members and the Speaker of the Parliament can propose holding a vote in situations where it is deemed important to seek public opinion. However, for bills returned by the President for reconsideration, only the Speaker of the Parliament can propose holding a public referendum. The regulations state that when a member of Parliament or the Speaker proposes a resolution for a public referendum, it must be sent to a permanent or temporary committee for review. The committee must decide and submit its report to the Parliament within 14 days of receiving the resolution. Resolutions proposed in situations where it is deemed important to seek public opinion can be passed by a majority of the total members of the Parliament. For resolutions related to bills returned by the President, it requires the votes of 42 out of 43 members present and voting in the session.
As per the regulations, within 3 days of the Parliament passing the resolution, it must be submitted to the Elections Commission to proceed with the referendum. In addition to the Parliament, referendums can also be held based on resolutions determined by the President under the Public Referendum Act. The first referendum under this law is scheduled to be held on the 25th of this month. This is a resolution proposed by the President to seek the opinion of the residents of three islands in Addu City regarding the formation of the Addu City Council.
