Former Attorney General Azima Shakoor has said holding presidential and parliamentary elections on the same day would help bring greater political and social stability to the Maldives, while allowing the country to move away from its continuous election cycle.

Speaking on MMTV’s “Maahdhaa- 8” programme, Uza Azima said conducting both elections simultaneously would enable the executive and legislature to be formed together, allowing a newly elected parliament to immediately assume responsibilities and support governance, while reducing the strain caused by frequent political activity in a small society.

She noted that under the current framework, three elections are held within a five-year term, limiting the ability of both the government and the public to operate without continuous political pressure, and stressed the need to consider whether sustained political engagement is practical given its impact on daily life and governance.

Uza Azima added that while the State may save around MVR 80 million by reducing the number of elections, the broader costs extend beyond government expenditure, including financial burdens on individuals and political parties, disruptions to businesses and time spent on political activity, emphasising that reducing election frequency would help strengthen long-term stability and support the Maldives’ position as a stable tourism destination.