A bill has been submitted to the People’s Majlis proposing the legal framework for conducting public referendums in the Maldives, including a requirement to hold a vote within three months of notifying the Elections Commission.
The Public Referendum Bill was introduced on behalf of the government by MP Ibrahim Falah, Majority Leader and representative of Inguraidhoo constituency.
According to the bill, the objective is to codify procedures for initiating public referendums as allowed by the Constitution—defining the roles of the proposing parties and the operational responsibilities of the Elections Commission.
The proposed legislation outlines three key circumstances under which a referendum can be held:
- On important public matters, initiated by the People’s Majlis;
- On nationally significant issues, initiated by the President;
- On constitutional amendments to critical chapters such as those on fundamental rights, the length of presidential and parliamentary terms, electoral procedures, and territorial matters.
The bill mandates that a referendum must be conducted within 45 to 90 days of submission to the Elections Commission. For constitutional amendments, it specifies that referendums are mandatory for changes to sensitive sections of the Constitution.
For each referendum, an official paper detailing the question and presenting arguments both for and against must be prepared—by the Majlis for parliamentary referendums, and by the President in consultation with the Cabinet for executive-led votes.
Campaigning will follow the same regulations applied to general elections, and the Elections Commission must publish the eligible voters' registry 14 days prior to the referendum date.
Referendum expenses will be covered by the State's Consolidated Revenue Fund in line with the Public Finance Act.