MDP's 'Bodu Badhalu' proposes preferential voting for parliamentary elections

The Maldivian Democratic Party's (MDP) "Bodu Badhalu" initiative has proposed introducing preferential voting for parliamentary elections as part of a package of changes to the country's electoral and governance systems.

The proposal is included in the final paper prepared by the Bodu Badhalu office, which was established within the MDP following the election of former President Mohamed Nasheed as party chairperson.

The Bodu Badhalu, or Major Reform, campaign was initiated by Nasheed and former MDP Chairperson Fayyaz Ismail to propose changes to the system of governance and the Constitution. Bodu Badhalu was also the campaign platform used by Nasheed during the MDP chairperson election.

A website detailing the proposals prepared by the Bodu Badhalu office was launched last Friday.

Among the proposals is replacing the current first-past-the-post system used for People's Majlis elections with a preferential voting system.

Under the current system, the candidate receiving the highest number of votes in a constituency is elected regardless of whether they secure a majority of the total votes cast.

The Bodu Badhalu paper argues that the system can result in vote splitting and allow candidates to enter Parliament with support from a small proportion of voters. According to the proposal, some MPs have been elected with as little as 20% of the vote.

"By voting in order of preference, it ensures that the elected candidate enjoys the support of a broader majority of citizens rather than just a simple plurality," the Bodu Badhalu website states.

Under preferential voting in a single-member constituency, voters rank candidates in order of preference.

If a candidate receives more than 50% of first-preference votes, that candidate is elected. If no candidate crosses the threshold, the candidate receiving the fewest first-preference votes is eliminated.

Votes cast for the eliminated candidate are then transferred to the remaining candidates according to voters' subsequent preferences. The process continues until a candidate receives more than 50%.

Preferential voting can also be used in constituencies electing more than one representative. Under systems such as that used in Ireland, candidates are elected after reaching a quota calculated using the number of votes and seats available.

Votes received by a candidate above the required quota can be transferred according to subsequent preferences. Candidates with the fewest votes can also be eliminated and their votes transferred until all seats are filled.

The Bodu Badhalu paper proposes several other changes to parliamentary elections and the composition of the People's Majlis.

One proposal would divide parliamentary elections into two stages. Half of the seats would be contested alongside the presidential election, while elections for the remaining half would take place midway through the presidential term.

The paper also proposes replacing the anti-defection provision with a system allowing voters to initiate a recall vote to remove an MP.

Another proposal seeks to reserve parliamentary representation for women, with at least one woman elected from each atoll, except Vaavu Atoll, and each city. Under the proposed arrangement, 24 parliamentary seats would be held by women. Vaavu Atoll would elect one member.

The proposal would also change the allocation of parliamentary seats, with 63 seats assigned to atolls and 26 to cities. Candidates receiving the required number of votes within each atoll and city would be elected to those seats.

Preferential voting is used in different forms in several countries. Sri Lanka uses preferential voting in its electoral system, while India uses forms of preferential voting for some elections. Australia and Ireland also use preferential systems for parliamentary and other elections.

The proposed electoral changes form part of the wider Bodu Badhalu initiative, which seeks amendments to the Constitution and changes to the structure of government.