People’s National Congress (PNC) Parliamentary Group Leader Ibrahim Falah has said that surveys conducted in the Maldives indicate that 90 per cent of the public supports the proposal to hold presidential and parliamentary elections on the same day.

Falah made the remarks while speaking to MMTV during PNC door-to-door campaign held in the North Machangoalhi constituency ahead of the upcoming Local Council and Women’s Development Committee (WDC) elections.

According to Falah, the proposed constitutional amendment aims to address shortcomings in the country’s constitutional and administrative system. He said opposition parties and some political leaders are opposing the amendment despite having previously supported similar proposals.

Falah also noted that discussions on holding presidential and parliamentary elections simultaneously had taken place during the constitution drafting process, and that several political leaders had previously advocated for conducting major national elections on the same day. He added that surveys conducted regarding the proposed change indicate strong public support, with about 90 per cent of respondents favouring the move.

Falah further stated that holding the two elections on the same day would increase public participation in parliamentary elections, noting that presidential elections typically record the highest voter turnout in the country.