A movement working against the proposed referendum today stated that state expenses could be reduced by decreasing political staff rather than holding a referendum, scheduled alongside the upcoming local council elections to determine whether or not to hold presidential and parliamentary elections on the same day.
Participants in today's press conference, held as part of the activities against taking the referendum vote, included former MDP Chairperson Mariya Ahmed Didi, former MDP MP Eva Abdulla, former Chief Justice Dr. Ahmed Abdulla Didi, Hassan Latheef, who held senior roles in both MDP and The Democrats, as well as lawyer and former Kendhoo constituency member Ali Hussain, former Health Minister Abdulla Ameen, and Aiman Rasheed, representing senior members of the Jumhooree Party.
Hassan Latheef stated that the government continues to say this is an election being held to reduce costs. However, he believes there are many other ways costs can be reduced.
"If we are talking about cutting costs, there are more than 400 Deputy Ministers in the government, just as Deputy Ministers. Even by removing the positions of 30 people among them, that MVR 60 million mentioned by the EC can be saved," Hassan Latheef said.
"If that is the case, this can be achieved even by stopping the lighting of festive decorative lights every year for Eid at a cost of MVR 50 million. It can be done even by reducing the number of lights hung in some islands."
Former Kendhoo constituency member Ali Hussain said that the two elections being combined are two elections that have no connection whatsoever. Pointing out that these two elections are the ones where the fewest people turn out to vote relative to the population, he said that elections must be held according to principles in a way acceptable to the citizen.
Eva, who served three terms as the member of parliament for Galolhu North constituency, also questioned why there is a sudden attempt to combine the two elections for cost reduction.
The bill proposed on behalf of the government by PNC Parliamentary Group Leader Ibrahim Falah to amend the Constitution to hold two elections on the same day was passed by the People’s Majlis on the 10th of last month. The change regarding holding two elections on the same day can only be brought to the Constitution if a majority is received for it through a public referendum.
Therefore, the Elections Commission has decided to hold that referendum alongside the local council elections being held this coming April.
President Muizzu has stated that a large expense can be saved by holding the presidential election and the parliamentary election together. In that regard, based on current estimates, senior officials of the ruling party, PNC, have said that MVR 80 million per year can be saved through this measure.
Along with that, the PNC believes that the number of people turning out to vote will increase significantly by combining the two elections.
