It is better to combine the two elections than to constantly be in an 'election fever': Adam Shareef

Minister of Cities and Local Governance Adam Shareef stated today that it is better to combine the two elections rather than constantly being in an election "fever."

Minister Adam Shareef and LGA CEO Mohamed Nimal represented the PNC today at a meeting held by the Parliament’s Independent Institutions Committee to seek the views of political parties regarding the government-proposed bill to amend the Constitution to combine the two elections.

During the meeting, Adam Shareef stated that it would be most beneficial for the citizens, leaders, and the Parliament to reduce the number of elections and empower the people. He noted that the PNC desires to bring this amendment to the Constitution by considering the views of the public.

"Rather than us constantly being in an election fever across the whole country, it would be most beneficial for the entire nation, for the citizens, and likewise for the leaders in power at the time to run a state, for the Parliament, and for the people, to reduce the number of elections and empower the citizens..." he said.

"I believe that bringing the amendment to the Constitution as currently planned and proposed, by looking at the word of the people and how the people see it, is something our party very much supports," Adam said.

Speaking about the benefits he believes would result from combining the two elections, he said that by making this change, those contesting for the presidency and those contesting for the Parliament would enter the election as a team. He also stated that this would reduce social issues and increase the multi-party spirit.

<b>MDP says hastening the referendum is wrong</b>

The Independent Institutions Committee is currently discussing holding the referendum to seek public opinion on the proposed amendment to combine the two elections alongside the Local Council Elections scheduled for next April. The views of the Elections Commission (EC) on this matter were also looked into today.

Following that, during the committee meeting held with political parties, former Member of Parliament for the Thulhaadhoo constituency and former President of the JSC, Hisaan Hussain, who participated on behalf of the MDP, stated that there is no reason to proceed by including the referendum regarding the constitutional amendment within the Local Council Elections.

"The result of you acting in this manner is that, in reality, for the changes mentioned in Article 262(b) of the Constitution, the citizens do not get the opportunity to make an informed decision on the types of matters that must be taken to the people," Hisaan said.

She also noted that due to the short notice MDP received for today's meeting, there was no time to reach a decision through internal party discussions, and therefore, they would not participate in that process.

Among the parties that participated in today’s meeting, Adhaalath Party and MDA stated they support combining the two elections. PNF stated that they do not support the bill.