Maldivian Public Rejects Constitutional Amendment for Joint Presidential and Parliamentary Elections

In a decisive rebuke to the government’s push for electoral consolidation, provisional results from Saturday’s national referendum indicate that a significant majority of Maldivian voters oppose holding the presidential and parliamentary elections simultaneously. 

With over 174,000 votes counted, 69.3 percent of voters rejected the constitutional amendment, while only 30.7 percent supported unifying the two major elections. The referendum coincided with voting for local councils and women’s development committees, marking a pivotal day in the country’s democratic process. 

The ruling People's National Congress (PNC) had passed the constitutional amendment on February 10, leveraging its supermajority in parliament to pave the way for joint elections. President Dr Mohamed Muizzu, who pledged to ratify the amendment if endorsed by the public, had argued that combining the elections would reduce public expenditure, prevent any single party from securing a parliamentary supermajority too easily, and enhance transparency within the electoral system.

However, the strong public opposition reflects deep skepticism over the government’s motives. Critics, including the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and independent electoral experts, raised concerns that holding both elections concurrently could favour the ruling party by consolidating voter mobilisation and reducing the opposition’s ability to campaign effectively on separate issues. They warned that the change could undermine checks and balances in the political system, potentially entrenching executive power. 

The counting process remains ongoing, though early returns already signal a clear public sentiment against the proposed reform. In a further blow to PNC, the provisional results also indicate that the MDP successfully defended mayoral positions in all major cities, underscoring the opposition’s enduring urban support. The Election Commission has yet to announce official final results, but the outcome of the referendum is expected to prompt a reconsideration of the government’s electoral agenda.

In a statement shared on social media following the release of preliminary results, President Muizzu extended congratulations to all winning candidates and stated that he "respectfully accepts" the outcome of the elections and the referendum. 

Striking a conciliatory tone, the President reassured the nation that his government "will continue all necessary efforts to address areas requiring improvement, in line with the will and aspirations of the people."