Attorney General Ahmed Usham has said holding presidential and parliamentary elections on the same day would help reduce political unrest in the Maldives.
Speaking on state broadcaster PSM’s Raajje Miadhu programme on Tuesday night, Usham said the country had faced significant unrest and challenges in establishing democratic governance since the introduction of the 2008 constitution.
He said frequent election cycles fuel political rivalry and negatively affect the economy, noting that political stability is a key concern for potential investors.
“There is always election competition in the Maldives. It is having an adverse impact on the economy. One of the first things investors look at is political stability,” he said.
Usham said the country is often “in the midst of elections”, which creates ongoing challenges to stability. He added that such concerns had been raised by multiple parties.
At present, parliamentary elections are held six months after presidential elections, while local council elections take place one to two years later. This, he said, makes it difficult for governments to deliver services effectively within a five-year term.
“When you are trying to serve the people within five years, there are always challenges when you are in the middle of an election,” he said.
Usham said constitutional amendments had been proposed to address the issue. The changes aim to hold presidential and parliamentary elections on the same day and to set the opening of parliament on 1 December.
If implemented, he said, parliament would be sworn in two weeks after the president takes office, which would significantly reduce political tensions linked to elections over the past 15 years.
A referendum on holding the two elections on the same day is scheduled for 4 April. The government has expressed support for the move, while the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has rejected it. The Adhaalath Party, Jumhooree Party and Maldives Development Alliance (MDA) have backed the proposal.
