President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, has proposed amending the Constitution to enable simultaneous presidential and parliamentary elections, provided it aligns with the people’s preferences. President Muizzu made this announcement while speaking at a rally held at the PNC headquarters last night, emphasizing the potential benefits of consolidating these elections.
President Muizzu said conducting both elections concurrently would significantly reduce costs, citing that the last parliamentary elections incurred over 120 million MVR in expenses, while two rounds of previous presidential elections totaled more than 180 million MVR. Highlighting the six-month gap between the two elections, the President argued that consolidating them would save at least 120 million MVR, funds that could be redirected to support impoverished families.
“If we consider even relocating people from a small island to a larger one, these savings could greatly benefit many families. Holding simultaneous elections would simplify the process and administration,” stated President Dr. Muizzu.
The President affirmed his intention to propose the constitutional amendment after consulting with the public, with plans to present it during the upcoming session of the current Parliament later this year. He stressed that any amendment would require a transparent vote by the people, expressing confidence in their support for aligning the elections in 2028.
Echoing President Dr. Muizzu’s sentiments, the Election Commission has also previously acknowledged the rising costs associated with conducting separate major elections, including presidential, parliamentary, and local council ballots, which have been escalating annually.
