System referendum shouldn't be on short-term political expediency, says TM
TM said there is very limited time for the planning and implementing of targeted voter information and awareness programmes.
Holding a referendum is a resource-intensive exercise that should not be guided by short term political expediency, Transparency Maldives (TM) said Tuesday, as the anti-corruption organisation expressed concerns over the "compressed timeline" for the proposed referendum on the choice of governance system in Maldives.
Parliament had earlier this month sent to the Elections Commission a resolution passed seeking a referendum on the system of governance in Maldives by October 30.
The Elections Commission (EC), which has tentatively set October 29 as the date for the referendum, has since requested the parliament to determine and provide the question to be asked of the people in the public referendum seeking views on changing the country's governance system.
Speaker Mohamed Nasheed, a long-time advocate of changing the existing presidential system to a parliamentary system, was set to submit a proposal to the parliament on Monday to determine the wording on the ballot paper to be used in the referendum on the governance system in Maldives, as well as a paper on the proposed system of governance.
However, the sitting was called off after the parliament failed to meet the quorum.
In a statement, TM said there is very limited time for the planning and implementing of targeted voter information and awareness programmes for a system reform referendum. This compressed timeline does not give enough time for voters to properly deliberate options in the system of government which are proposed in the referendum, it added.
"Any referendum on changing the system of governance must ensure that the electorate have a comprehensive understanding of what the proposed systems are, the resulting impacts on governance mechanisms, as well as the modifications necessitated to the legal framework by a system change," the statement read.
TM called on the parliament, the Elections Commission and other relevant authorities to:
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Implement a comprehensive and nation-wide voter education and awareness programme that clearly define the proposed systems of government
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Allow adequate time and resources for robust public debate on the merits and ramifications of any change in the system of government be given before a referendum is taken
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Organise meaningful, participatory, and inclusive public engagements in the process, especially with youth and first-time voters, prior to and following the referendum
"Holding a referendum is a resource-intensive exercise that should not be guided by short term political expediency, but by a well-informed electorate," the statement read.
"In expediting this process, institutions must consider their mandate to ensure public funds are spent responsibly and dedicate sufficient time to ensure not just the thorough and inclusive dissemination of information, but ultimately, an earnest and meaningful consultation that reflects the will of the voters."
