The proposed constitutional amendment to hold the Maldives’ Presidential and Parliamentary elections simultaneously is a legally sound measure. Since this amendment necessitates a public referendum under Article 262 of the Constitution, the Presidential Decree issued for this purpose and the subsequent procedures undertaken by the Elections Commission are fully compliant with the existing legal framework.
In this regard, the scheduled date for the referendum, the dissemination of information papers, and the allocated campaign periods have all been established in accordance with the “Public Referendum Act” and the “General Elections Act.” Furthermore, the timeframe between the issuance of the Presidential Decree and the actual polling day satisfies the 45-day period mandated by law. Collectively, the process for this amendment is devoid of any unconstitutional or illegal elements. This represents a systemic reform being pursued through democratic principles, guided by the will of the people. Ultimately, the final decision regarding this change rests with the citizens through their vote.
