Members of the ruling People's National Congress (PNC) told parliament today that the most effective path forward is to empower citizens to shape decisions on national and relevant public issues through referendums.
In today's debate on the Public Referendum Bill, South Feydhoo MP Ibrahim Didi (IB) said that it is imperative to empower citizens and take the public's opinion into account.
"I believe that this is a very positive change, where there is a leader but he is prioritizing letting the people decide things as they believe right," he said.
Ibrahim Didi said that some things are not feasible for a small nation such as the Maldives, like holding various elections back to back. He believes that such issues require revision, and can be achieved through a public referendum.
"In Maldives, we have elections back to back. One election after the other. The people are constantly in the middle of an election. So, with the Constitution as it, a change to how elections are held can be brought through a public referendum," he said.
Deputy Speaker and Dhiggaru MP Ahmed Nazim noted that conducting public referendums on key issues is a common practice in developed nations.
He said that it is not easy for citizens or political parties to voice out against decisions of the parliament, and as such, the best way to find the public's view on a matter would be through a referendum.
Ahmed Nazim highlighted Switzerland as an example, noting that despite its diverse racial and religious makeup, the country has upheld national unity through the use of public referendums. He stated that in 2022 alone, eleven referendums had been held in the country.
Before the current Constitution came into effect, a public referendum was held in the Maldives where the public voted between a presidential and parliamentary system.
Nazim said that many articles in the Constitution are 'locked', including articles in the chapters on citizen's daily lives and fundamental rights. He said that it is important to have a referendum to 'unlock' these.
North Mahchangolhi MP Ibrahim Mohamed said this is the most important bill that has come to parliament in Maldives' democratic history. Hence, he appealed for the debate to be completed at the earliest, and the bill passed.
