President Dr Mohamed Muizzu has stated that granting citizens the power to recall members of Parliament and councillors is the most democratic approach, adding that ongoing efforts to introduce such a system are currently at a technical consultation stage.

Speaking at a press briefing held at the President’s Office, President Dr Muizzu said that under the existing system, once an individual is elected to Parliament or a council, there is no direct mechanism for the public to remove them from office.

He noted that, from a democratic standpoint, the most appropriate approach would be to place that authority in the hands of the people.

The President explained that, at present, the only way for a sitting member to lose their seat is through a ruling by the Supreme Court, and that no alternative mechanism exists. He said that in many countries, recall systems are practiced as a way to strengthen democratic accountability.

President Dr Muizzu added that while recall voting systems have been successfully implemented in some countries, careful study and consultation are required before introducing such a mechanism in the Maldives.

He said discussions are ongoing on key technical aspects, including the number of signatures required for a recall petition, the parliamentary majority needed to remove a member, quorum requirements for such votes, and the legal grounds under which a recall can be initiated.

The President expressed hope that the proposed system could be submitted within the current term of Parliament, noting that work is ongoing toward that goal.

He added that other constitutional and legal reforms are also being pursued to strengthen the governance framework and empower citizens with greater authority.