The preliminary debate on the government’s proposed constitutional amendment to hold presidential and parliamentary elections simultaneously concluded within a single day in Parliament.

The extraordinary sitting, attended by 30 members, saw government MPs supporting the amendment while opposition MDP members opposed it.

MDP Interim Chairperson, Hanimaadhoo MP Abdul Ghafoor Moosa, reiterated the party’s rejection of the proposal and said they would protest against it.

The bill, submitted by PNC Parliamentary Group Leader and Inguraidhoo MP Ibrahim Falaah, stipulates that parliamentary elections would be held every five years alongside presidential elections. The current parliamentary term expires on December 1, 2028, and under the proposed amendment, both elections would take place before that date.

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has said that merging the elections could save the state an estimated MVR 70 million.

Last year, Parliament also passed the Referendum Act, allowing the public to vote on major national issues, including changing the presidential inauguration date and abolishing the second round of presidential elections.

Former President Mohamed Nasheed expressed support for the amendment, while former MDP Chairperson Fayyaz Ismail opposed it.