The Parliament has approved a constitutional amendment that will synchronise presidential and parliamentary elections, a significant restructuring of the nation’s political calendar. The measure, passed with 72 votes in favour, shortens the current legislative term and codifies a fixed timetable for future polls.
The government-sponsored legislation amends Article 110 of the Constitution to require that elections for Members of Parliament and the President of the Republic be held concurrently. Under the new framework, the parliamentary term is set at five years, beginning on 1 December. At the conclusion of each term, parliament will automatically dissolve, and the inaugural session of the newly elected legislature must convene on the same date.
The amendment directly alters the tenure of the sitting legislature. The 20th Parliament, which under the previous constitutional arrangement was scheduled to extend into 2029, will now conclude on 1 December 2028. Elections must therefore be completed, and the first sitting of the new assembly convened, by that date.
Introduced on behalf of the government by Ibrahim Falah, the Parliamentarian for Inguraidhoo, the bill secured broad support from the majority of lawmakers. The debate, however, revealed sharp political divisions. Members of the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) voiced strong objections, leading to heated exchanges on the floor. As tensions escalated, the Speaker intervened, naming several disruptive members and ordering their removal to restore order.
Although the amendment has cleared parliament, it cannot take effect until ratified by the public through a referendum. To avoid the expense of a standalone vote, the Elections Commission of Maldives (ECM) has recommended that the referendum be held alongside the Local Council and Women’s Development Committee elections scheduled for 4 April. The commission has stated that the process will formally begin once the President issues a decree instructing them to proceed.