Maumoon opposes plan for concurrent elections
Other former presidents elected to office have also previously expressed opposition to holding the two elections concurrently.
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Former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom has expressed opposition to the proposal to hold presidential and parliamentary elections on the same day.
His remarks were made in response to a question from a member of the Executive Committee of the Maldives Reform Movement, a party he founded. The exchange took place in a WhatsApp group last month, and a screenshot of the conversation began circulating on social media on Monday.
A senior member of the Maldives Reform Movement confirmed the authenticity of the screenshot.
In the exchange, former Executive Committee member Rahma Ali asked whether holding both elections simultaneously would be advisable. Gayoom responded, “No.”
Gayoom’s daughter, Yumna Maumoon, also stated her opposition to the proposal in a post on X.
“In my view, the parliamentary elections should be held mid-term. This would provide the public with an opportunity to express their sentiment—whether they are satisfied or dissatisfied with the government—at the midpoint of the presidential term,” she said.
Other former presidents elected to office, including Mohamed Nasheed, Abdulla Yameen and Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, have also previously expressed opposition to holding the two elections concurrently.
