Maldives pres seeks amendment to hold main elections together
The President said the money saved by holding two elections together could shift the people of a small island to a larger island.
By
Fathmath Ahmed Shareef
President Mohammed Muizzu has said that the government will submit a proposal to the parliament by the end of this year to amend the constitution to allow presidential and parliamentary elections to be held together.
Speaking at the PNC's Sunday evening meeting at their party camp, the President spoke about some of the changes he intends to bring to the governing system to reduce expenditure.
The President said that the last parliamentary elections cost more than MVR 120 million. More than MVR 180 million was spent on the previous presidential election. That totals MVR 300 million.
According to Muizzu:
-
As there is no significant difference in the duration of the elections, the best way and the most cost effective way is to hold the two elections together
-
This will save MVR 120 million from state expenditure
-
The money can be used to meet the needs of the people and for economic and social work
Taking an example, the President said the money saved by holding two elections together could shift the people of a small island to a larger island.
"The most beneficial way for the people is to hold the presidential and parliamentary elections simultaneously. Therefore, hopefully within this year, I will propose this amendment to the Constitution," he said.
Noting that this amendment requires public referendum, he also called on the people to cooperate with him on the issue.
The President also said that he believes that the people should be fully represented in the formation and running of the government. The President said elections must be held for that purpose and that too must be done with responsible spending.
