News Desk
The Maldives’ Independent Institutions Committee of the Majlis met on Monday to gather views on a government proposal to amend the Constitution and allow two national votes to be held simultaneously — a step required under the country’s referendum law.
Lawmakers sought input from political parties, the Elections Commission and the Attorney General’s Office, with representatives from both institutions attending the first half of the session. EC Chairman Mohammed Zahid and Attorney General Ahmed Usham were seen in close discussion as the committee opened its review of the bill.
Zahid told members that the commission was prepared to conduct a referendum alongside the upcoming local council elections, though he warned that the timeline was tight. “The upcoming local council elections will be held together, and we will have to complete all stages by February 18,” he said.
Running the two votes concurrently, he added, would require an additional MVR 20 million, largely for printing ballot papers and expanding staffing. Holding the referendum separately would cost three to four times more, with estimates ranging from MVR 60 million to MVR 80 million.
“If we put it together, we will have 20 million,” Zahid said, noting that the lower figure assumes the commission would not need to charter last‑minute flights to transport ballot boxes and papers across the islands.
He cautioned that merging the elections would mark a significant shift in the country’s democratic landscape and would require a broad public‑awareness effort. Any delay in Parliament’s decision, he said, would compress the time available to explain the constitutional change to voters.
“What I am saying is that if you are going to do that as soon as possible, these two processes — the constitutional amendment by Parliament and the decision — must be given,” he said.
Committee members pressed Zahid on whether the 45‑day window mandated in the Referendum Act was sufficient to consult the public on such a merger. Zahid repeatedly responded that the commission would act strictly within the law, declining to offer a personal view on the adequacy of the timeframe.
Tensions rose when MDP MP Mikaael Ahmed Naseem continued to push for Zahid’s opinion, prompting an argument with PNC MP Ibrahim Shujau of the Baarashu constituency.
The committee is expected to continue consultations as Parliament weighs whether to fast‑track the constitutional amendment needed to combine the two national votes.
