Opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has decided to file a case at court seeking to halt the referendum on merging the presidential and parliamentary elections, which is currently scheduled to be held alongside the April 4 Local Council Elections.
MDP's National Council passed a resolution to work against the referendum on merging the two elections.
The party compiled a Task Force to work on the issue, which held a press briefing today.
At the press briefing, Kendhoo MP Mauroof Zakir stated that the decree issued by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu to hold the election-merging referendum contradicts the amendment to the law brought to merge the elections. He said that the MDP will submit this case to court today.
"And before that, before a decision is made on the decree itself, an interim order is necessary to halt this referendum. Otherwise, the citizens may face irredeemable loss," Mauroof stated.
Mauroof further said that MDP will be undertaking additional efforts as well to halt the merging of the two elections. This will include country-wide campaign activities and a large rally in March, he announced.
The parliament passed the bill on amending the Constitution to allow the merging of the two elections, submitted by PNC PG Leader Ibrahim Falah, on February 10.
Such an amendment to the Constitution can be brought through a public referendum. Hence, the Elections Commission has announced that the referendum will be held alongside the April 4 Local Council and WDC elections.
President Muizzu has earlier said that merging the elections would result in significant savings for the State. Current estimates indicate that MVR 80 million per year can be saved through this move, PNC leaders have said.
Falah, meanwhile, opined that it would also serve to increase voter turnout.
