MDP votes to oppose referendum on merging elections
The decision was taken unanimously by 48 members at a National Assembly meeting held on Thursday evening.
The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) National Assembly has decided to oppose the referendum on the constitutional amendment to merge presidential and parliamentary elections.
The decision was taken unanimously by 48 members at a National Assembly meeting held on Thursday evening. The referendum is scheduled to be held on 4 April, alongside the Local Council and Women’s Development Committee elections.
The resolution opposing the referendum was moved by Meekail Ahmed Naseem, the Member of Parliament for Galolhu North. The resolution stated that public consultations had not been conducted on a matter that directly affects the public before the proposal to amend the Constitution was introduced.
It also noted that the Constitutional Amendment Bill was passed without allowing sufficient time for review and discussion. The resolution further stated that there was limited time to inform the public about the referendum.
During the same meeting, the National Assembly also passed another resolution moved by former Makunudhoo MP Mohamed Rai. This resolution called for the start of street protests against the merger of presidential and parliamentary elections. The resolution was also passed unanimously by all members present.
Former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has previously said that parliamentary elections should be held in the middle of the presidential term, a view shared by several senior leaders of the MDP.
