Nasheed, Fayyaz divided over combining elections

Former President Mohamed Nasheed and former Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) Chairperson Fayyaz Ismail hold differing views on the issue of merging the presidential and parliamentary elections. 

A bill submitted to parliament yesterday by ruling People's National Congress (PNC) Parliamentary Group Leader Ibrahim Falah calls to hold the parliamentary elections every five years simultaneously with the presidential elections. The bill also calls to set the parliamentary term as five years from December 1. 

Nasheed has expressed support for this bill. Fayyaz, however, stated in a post on X that there are advantages and disadvantages of merging the two elections. 

Fayyaz said that this move by the government citing cost-cutting effectively strips citizens of their right to decide on national matters.

Fayyaz claimed that it does not appear if the government is otherwise making any efforts to bring down expenditure. The public should then bear in mind why they are citing cost-cutting when it comes to elections, he said. 

Fayyaz said that as the parliamentary elections are held to elect representatives who will hold the government accountable, it is advisable to void the principle of electing an MP for a population of 5000 in larger atolls. 

According to Fayyaz, if there is a will to strengthen the check and balance system and empower citizens, the parliamentary elections would be staggered and held twice separately, with half the MPs elected during the presidential election, and a separate election held for the rest. This would grant the citizens the opportunity to make decisions after observing the government's performance, he said. 

If there is a true intention of merging elections to bring down expenditure, the presidential election and local council election should be held simultaneously as both are held to provide good governance at national and island levels, Fayyaz said. 

Fayyaz also urged the public to think deeply about why extraordinary sittings of the parliament are held to amend the Constitution while they are in recess.

Matters which would have such strong impact on the people must be open for wider discussion, according to Fayyaz.

While Fayyaz and Nasheed have differing opinions on the matter, MDP is yet to make an official comment on it. 

As per the proposed bill, the current parliament's term will end on December 1, 2028. The presidential and parliamentary elections should be held simultaneously ahead of this, the bill stipulates. 

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has previously said that merging the elections would lead to savings of MVR 120 million. 

Last year, the parliament also passed the Referendum Act, under which public opinion can be sought for important national issues.