President ratifies Referendum Act

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has last night ratified the Referendum Act, which allows for ballots on major national issues and matters concerning the public.

The bill, moved by MP Ibrahim Falah on behalf of the government, was passed by Parliament yesterday.

According to the President’s Office, the law comes into effect immediately upon presidential approval.

The bill was proposed for the purpose of holding referendums on changing the Presidential Oath Taking Ceremony from November 17 to November 11, and several other critical changes, including the merging of the presidential and parliamentary elections and the abolition of the second round in presidential elections.

However, the scope of the bill goes beyond electoral reforms. It also allows for referendums on other significant national matters.

Under the new law, referendums must be held via in-person voting for the following issues: