Government will not extend presidential term: Falah

The government will not extend the presidential term, and the purpose of the proposed Referendum Bill is only to consult the public on key national issues, PNC Parliamentary Group Leader Ibrahim Falah said today.

Debating the Independent Institutions Committee’s report on the bill in Parliament, Falah cited the example of land reclamation in Baa Atoll Dhonfanu near Hanifaru Bay, saying the bill is designed to seek public opinion on such matters.

He stressed that PNC, which holds a supermajority in Parliament, would not support any move to lengthen the presidential term.

“This bill is very clear. There is nothing else in this bill. This government will not extend a presidential term. We will not support it. The President will not support it in the slightest,” Falah said.

Instead, he said, the PNC is working to “shorten” terms by holding presidential and parliamentary elections simultaneously, a move he described as a sacrifice by party members.

Falah’s remarks come amid opposition accusations that the government is seeking to extend the presidential term to 10 years.

The Referendum Bill outlines several constitutional and electoral reforms, including changing the presidential inauguration date from November 17 to November 11, combining presidential and parliamentary elections, and eliminating the second round of presidential elections. It also allows for referendums on other issues of national importance.

Under the bill, a public vote must be held on constitutional amendments, the powers of Parliament and the presidency, presidential elections, and the territory of the Maldives. If a constitutional amendment passed by Parliament is rejected, the matter must also be put to a vote.

The President may call a referendum if deemed necessary, through a resolution signed by him. Parliament may likewise trigger a public vote by passing a resolution.