Holding presidential and parliamentary elections on the same day could reduce undue influence over electoral outcomes, renowned lawyer Ahmed Shaheen Hameed has said.

Speaking at a panel discussion on proposed constitutional amendments, Shaheen stated that synchronising the two elections would likely produce more balanced and credible results. He noted that the existing six-month gap between presidential and parliamentary elections creates opportunities for the exertion of influence and power, which could affect outcomes.

Shaheen explained that eliminating this interval would help minimise such practices, strengthening the integrity of the electoral process. He also stressed that the proposed amendment would not curtail any voting rights of the public, nor weaken systems of government accountability.

Addressing concerns over legality, Shaheen acknowledged that some previous constitutional amendments had raised issues. However, he maintained that the current proposal to hold elections concurrently does not present similar concerns.

Former Prosecutor General Ahmed Muizzu, who also took part in the discussion, said it remains unclear whether the amendment would alter the Constitution’s fundamental structure. He added that passing amendments individually may not be ideal, suggesting their broader impact should be considered collectively.

Legal expert Shamsul Falaah, who joined the discussion online from abroad, argued that the amendment could affect the Constitution’s basic structure. He also raised concerns regarding the referendum question and the process followed in Parliament, suggesting it may not have fully complied with established legal procedures.

The amendment, proposing to align presidential and parliamentary elections following a reduction in the current parliamentary term, is the eighth change to the Constitution. A final decision is expected after a public referendum scheduled for next Saturday.