The Elections Commission has announced key details of the public referendum to seek citizens’ views on the proposed constitutional amendment to hold presidential and parliamentary elections concurrently.

The referendum follows the decision to put to a public vote the “Bill on the Eighth Amendment to the Constitution”, passed by the Parliament, which seeks to enable the holding of Presidential and Parlaiment elections at the same time and to define provisions relating to the term of the Majlis.

According to the Commission, the general vote will be held on Saturday, 4 April, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. The referendum will take place alongside the 2026 Local Council Elections and the Women’s Development Committee elections.

Ballot counting will commence 30 minutes after the close of voting on the same day. The official results of the referendum are scheduled to be announced on Saturday, 11 April.

The Commission also stated that the opportunity to re-register for voting in a location other than one’s registered island will open from 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, 18 February, until 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, 22 February 2026.

Voters wishing to cast their ballots on an island other than their registered constituency have been urged to verify their registration details and complete the necessary re-registration within the specified period. The Commission emphasised that timely registration is essential to ensure eligibility to vote at the preferred location.