Parliament has referred the Public Referendum Bill to the Committee on Independent Institutions for review. 

The bill, proposed by Majority Leader and Inguraidhoo MP Ibrahim Falah, concerns the process of holding public referendums on key national matters, including those proposed by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu. This bill was referred to the Committee on Independent Institutions following a vote in which 62 members voted in favour.

The bill outlines the conditions under which referendums may be held, as stipulated in the Constitution, and details the responsibilities of those initiating the vote. The bill also defines the role of the Elections Commission (EC) in managing the referendum process.

The proposed legislation allows for public referendums on issues of national significance and matters impacting the general public, beyond those already stipulated in the Constitution. This covers any amendments to the fundamental rights and freedoms set out in Chapter II of the Constitution. Additionally, referendums would be compulsory for any changes related to the presidential election process or the length of parliamentary terms.

A referendum must also be held if the President ratifies a constitutional amendment passed by the parliament and notifies the legislature or on matters relating to the country’s territory.

The bill specifies that referendums may be initiated either by a resolution passed by a majority in the parliament or by a presidential decree when deemed necessary. Once a resolution is adopted, the Elections Commission (EC) will be responsible for overseeing the vote, including setting the date, managing logistics, and counting the ballots.

A referendum must take place within 45 to 90 days of the request. Should the Commission be unable to conduct the vote on the initially scheduled date, it must appoint a new date within the same 90-day period.

This development comes as President Dr Muizzu contemplates holding a referendum later this year to eliminate the second round of presidential elections and implement a preferential voting system. He has also suggested synchronising the presidential and parliamentary elections.

In October, the Government announced its intention to restore the commencement of the presidential term to November 11, as it was previously, and to formally enshrine the country’s territorial boundaries in the Constitution.