President rejects Nasheed's invitation to discuss constitutional changes
The invitation followed a joint press conference held on Sunday, where Nasheed and Fayyaz outlined proposals to amend the Constitution.
President Mohamed Muizzu has stated that he will not accept an invitation from former President Mohamed Nasheed and former Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) Chairperson Fayyaz Ismail to discuss proposed changes to the governance system.
The invitation followed a joint press conference held on Sunday, where Nasheed and Fayyaz outlined proposals to amend the Constitution. The proposals include separating the roles of Head of State and Head of Government, with the Head of Government to be elected through a direct public vote and the Head of State to be elected by Members of Parliament and local councillors. Removal of the Head of State would require a public referendum.
Additional proposals include requiring public approval for the dismissal of Supreme Court judges and members of independent institutions, the establishment of an oversight body, and changes to the structure of Parliament.
Responding to questions at a press conference at the President’s Office on Monday, Muizzu said the proposals do not fall within the mandate given to him by the public.
“The mandate given to me is to implement the commitments made during the election. I will not engage in matters outside that mandate,” he said.
The President also referred to the outcome of the recent referendum, where voters rejected a proposal to align presidential and parliamentary elections. He said the result indicates that the public does not support broader constitutional changes.
The referendum, held alongside local council elections, asked whether both elections should be held on the same date from 2028. According to the results, 69 per cent voted against the proposal, while 31.26 per cent voted in favour.
Muizzu said the government will only consider constitutional amendments linked to specific pledges, including limiting the number of parliamentary seats and changes to the composition of the Judicial Service Commission.
He confirmed that the government will not pursue other structural changes proposed by Nasheed and Fayyaz.
