The State budget would incur an additional cost of MVR 80 million if a public referendum on merging the presidential and parliamentary elections is not held alongside the upcoming Local Council Elections, People’s National Congress (PNC) Parliamentary Group Leader and Inguraidhoo Constituency MP Ibrahim Falah has said.

Falah made the remarks while speaking at the opening of the PNC’s Central Henveiru campaign booth.

The Government has proposed a constitutional amendment to hold presidential and parliamentary elections concurrently. The amendment is currently at the committee stage in Parliament, with the Independent Institutions Committee deciding to hold separate consultations with political parties, the Attorney General’s Office and the Elections Commission to gather views on the proposed change.

Falah said the six-month extension of Parliament’s term is being forgone in order to support reforms initiated by President Dr Mohamed Muizzu in the interest of the country.

He said holding the public referendum together with the Local Council Elections on 4 April would result in significant savings for the State. If the Elections Commission were required to make separate preparations on a different date, he said, the State would have to spend an additional MVR 80 million.

Falah expressed confidence that the referendum would be held on 4 April, adding that the proposed reform enjoys strong public support.

He also claimed that the opposition is opposing the constitutional amendment because it would allow the Government to seek a second term. Falah said the Government has so far pursued legislative changes that are beneficial to the country, while the opposition has failed to cooperate on matters related to public interest.

Referring to parliamentary proceedings, Falah said the most important vote in serving the country is the passage of the State budget. He noted that the two budgets submitted to Parliament so far have been passed without the cooperation of opposition members.