Former Attorney General Fathimath Dhiyana Saeed stated last night that the only way one political party or the government at the time cannot gain a super majority of the Parliament is by holding both the Presidential Election and the Parliamentary Election on the same day.

While speaking at a discussion held by policymv regarding the combining of and holding both the elections on the same day, the government would come out backed by all state-owned companies for the sake of the election and that a super majority parliament is elected through the absolute power of the state.

"And so, a super majority of the Parliament is gained after a President is elected to office, and the parliamentary elections held after this. Under that system, an absolute parliamentary majority is achieved when they run backed by 'all these STELCOs," said Dhiyana while gesturing to former Kendhoo constituency Ali Hussain's words on how he is against two elections being held on the same day during the discussion.

"We can break that by holding the elections on the same day."

According to Dhiyana, the statistics and votes show that a parliamentary super majority can be deterred if the Presidential Election and the Parliamentary Election are held on the same day.

During last night's discussion, Maldives' first female Attorney General Aishath Azima Shakoor stated that when looking back at the previous Presidential Elections, there are no known benefits for the sitting President at the time. She also said that she cannot see the benefit of the upcoming referendum vote to the current government.

"Theoretically, no matter what is said, if we take a look back at our history, I believe that the government is taking a risk," said Azima.

Dhiyana is of the opinion that the referendum vote regarding the combining of elections is not being rushed. While speaking in favor of it, she said that President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu is bringing changes to Maldives' procedural systems by prioritizing one thing at a time.

Dhiyana listed things such as the dissolving of the atoll councils under the changes that were brought to the decentralization system last year, the downsizing of the local councils and having the President of Women's Development Committees being a full-time employee.

"This is not an overnight nor a single change," said Dhiyana.

Along with that, she also said that the change where members who are elected via a political party's ticket who switch allegiances after a certain period of time resulting in the loss of their seat in Parliament also was in need of a solution. Even though there are differences of opinion regarding how that change came about, she stated that it was something that needed to be done.

"These are not isolated changes. These are a series of changes. There are even more changes that need to brought about. This has been spoken of as well. Changes such as increasing representation for the youth, and the Parliament having grown so much that it is now out of hand. Reducing the number of Parliament members is also something that needs to be done," stated Dhiyana.