EC seeks clarification from parliament over Oct system referendum
Parliament on Thursday sent to the Elections Commission a resolution passed at Wednesday's sitting seeking a referendum on the system of governance.
Elections Commission on Thursday asked the parliament to clarify the issues that need to be answered before a referendum on the choice of governance system is held as per a parliamentary resolution passed on Wednesday.
Parliament on Thursday sent to the Elections Commission a resolution passed at Wednesday's sitting seeking a referendum on the system of governance in Maldives by October 30.
After seeking legal advice on the resolution, Elections Commission Vice-President and Spokesperson Ismail Habeeb said on X that there are issues that need to be answered before such a vote. The parliament has been asked to clarify those issues, he added.
However, Habeed did not clarify the issues.
The Democrats, led by speaker Mohamed Nasheed who has always advocated for a parliamentary system, submitted the resolution to the parliament seeking a referendum before October 30 on the choice of governance system.
The resolution, which called for the parliament to directly ask the Elections Commission to hold the referendum, was passed with MDP's backing as well.
Although the resolution mandated the parliament to ask the Elections Commission to hold the referendum, President Ibrahim Mohammed Solih believes:
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Referendum on governance system can be taken only after the parliament passes a motion by a three-fourth majority or with the backing of 66 out of the 87 MPs, sends motion to him, following which he can request the Elections Commission to hold a referendum
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If the resolution is passed by the parliament and sent to him, he will request the Elections Commission to take the vote before October 30, as per Ilyas's resolution, before the presidential runoff
However, Article 70 of the constitution gives parliament the power to decide to hold a referendum on important matters affecting the people.
