Minister of Islamic Affairs Dr Mohamed Shaheem Ali Saeed has said that holding the presidential election in a single round presents an opportunity to elect the most capable and suitable candidate for national leadership.

In a post on his official X account, the Minister stated that a single-round election would save time and reduce the financial burden on the state. He described the proposal as being in the best interest of both citizens and the nation.

President Dr Mohamed Muizzu had earlier proposed the idea of abolishing the second round of the presidential election, stating during the Republic Day ceremony that a public referendum would be held on the matter. He added that the Attorney General’s Office is currently reviewing the legal framework required to implement the proposed change.

Minister Dr Shaheem further wrote that combining the presidential and parliamentary elections would be a positive systemic reform. He stressed the need for broader political changes, stating that adapting the system in line with evolving times and circumstances would serve the state’s higher interest.

Former President Mohamed Nasheed has also expressed support for the idea, backing President Dr Muizzu’s consideration to introduce a preferential voting system in place of the existing two-round structure.

The proposal has sparked renewed debate on social media, with senior officials of the ruling Progressive National Congress (PNC) actively campaigning for the change under the hashtag #PreferentialVoting.