President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has stated that the people should have the power to remove elected leaders, not just choose them, calling it essential for a functioning democracy.

Speaking in the sixth episode of the Rayyithunnaa Eku podcast, President Dr Muizzu said true public empowerment depends on the electorate’s ability to hold their leaders accountable between elections. He described this as a cornerstone of democratic legitimacy, as he outlined a series of proposed constitutional reforms aimed at reshaping governance in the Maldives.

The President emphasised that democracy must go beyond elections and provide citizens with meaningful ways to hold leaders accountable between terms. He said the Maldives should not simply imitate foreign models blindly but instead create a system that suits local values and builds trust.

President Dr Muizzu also reiterated his support for the introduction of a preferential voting system for presidential elections, stating that the reform could eliminate the need for costly run-off votes, streamline the electoral process, and ensure majority-backed leadership from the outset. He added that this would be subject to thorough research and wide public consultation before any implementation.

He also supported the idea of holding presidential and parliamentary elections simultaneously, citing potential savings and increased efficiency for the geographically dispersed island nation.

On parliamentary reform, the President proposed a cap of 93 Members of Parliament, warning that unchecked expansion could burden public finances and weaken the institution’s effectiveness. While proportional representation remains important, he said Parliament must remain manageable and accountable.

Changes are also planned for local councils. The Government aims to restructure Atoll Councils, proposing three members for populations under 2,000 and five for larger communities. Eligibility criteria for Council and Women’s Development Committee (WDC) candidates will be revised, and the Ministry of Finance and Planning will be tasked with monitoring the use of council funds to ensure alignment with community needs.

Reaffirming his commitment to inclusive governance, President Dr Muizzu stressed that all major constitutional amendments would be subject to public consultation and, where appropriate, national referenda. He stated that the Government would not take unilateral decisions on matters that shape the country’s democratic future.

He also raised the possibility of adjusting the start date of the presidential term through legal means, should the need arise.