PNC's Parliamentary Group Leader Ibrahim Falah stated last night that the reason for the Presidential Election and the Parliamentary Election to be held on the same day is so that the elections may not be influenced.
While speaking at the Tarawih dinner held by PNC's leadership for the candidates running for the HA. Hoarafushi constituency in the upcoming Local Council Election, Falah said that holding two elections on the same day will be beneficial for the citizens and the nation as well.
Falah went on to state the reason as to what that may be, saying that there are talks that when the Parliamentary Election is held six months after the Presidential Election, the President that has been in office would influence the election.
And so, Falah said that holding both of the elections on the same day would not allow for the election to be influenced.
"One of the reasons why this would benefit the nation and its citizens is because of citizens saying that the newly elected President would always influence the Parliamentary Election, which takes place six months after the Presidential Election," said Falah.
"So in reality, holding both of the elections on the same day would not give the sitting President the time necessary to influence the election."
Falah also said that with the elections being held on the same day, those who are elected will be candidates who can bring about the development that the public desires.
While speaking of past experiences, Falah said that after a President is elected and up until the Parliamentary Election, the entire government focuses on the election. And so, he stated that those six months are a huge loss of time.
"Our President wishes to hold both of the elections on the same day so that the candidate running for Presidency may only be able to focus on being elected. Members of the Parliament can only focus on their election efforts as well."
While the government is in support of combining the elections, opposition parties are currently against both elections being held on the same day.
The referendum vote regarding the matter will be held on 4th April, along with the Local Council and Women's Development Committee Election.
