Jumhooree Party Leader Gasim Ibrahim stated last night that holding the Presidential Election and Parliamentary Election on the same day is something that needs to be done for the political stability of Maldives.
In order to hold two elections on the same day, amendments to the Constitution can only be brought about with a majority in favor of it via a referendum vote. The referendum vote will be held on 4th April.
While supporting this, Gasim posted on X stating that by looking at the events that took place on the political landscape after the 2008 Presidential Election, the elections taking place on the same day is something that needs to be done.
Gasim said that every government that took office has always worked to get a majority in Parliament. He highlighted that the 2019 and 2023 Parliamentary Elections saw three-quarters of the seats be won by the ruling party.
"And so, the President who is elected for a five-year term by citizens has to work to win the Parliament majority within the first six months of their Presidency," said Gasim.
"Along with that, previous Parliaments have also worked in the past to use the majority and disturb the newly formed government, throw the government's first budget into disarray and initiate a vote of no-confidence against the President-Elect."
And so, holding two elections on the same day is something that will contribute towards the political stability of the nation, said Gasim.
"As the President will only ratify this amendment from the government if the citizens are in agreement, I request the public to vote in favor of two elections being held on the same day during the referendum vote on 4th April," said Gasim.
Gasim also stated that it is the citizens who will benefit from two elections being held on the same day. More than MVR 120 million will be saved, with the opportunity of those funds being used for other purposes, he said.
In regards to the work being done by political parties to win majority seats in Parliament, Gasim went on to say that this would reduce the allegations of corruption concerning the election and the instability that has formed within the political system.
While Gasim is in favor of and supports the idea of holding two elections on the same day, opposition MDP stands against it. MDP took to the Civil Court in an attempt to void President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu's decree in combining the elections, with an interim order being requested so that the referendum vote can be delayed.
