People’s National Congress (PNC) Parliamentary Group Leader and Inguraidhoo constituency Member of Parliament Ibrahim Falah has said there is strong public support for the Government’s proposed constitutional amendment to hold presidential and parliamentary elections concurrently.

Falah made the remarks while addressing the opening of a campaign office for PNC candidates contesting the Maafannu South constituency council seat and the Women’s Development Committee (WDC) seat.

As the sponsor of the proposed bill, Falah said merging the two national elections would strengthen the party system and bring Maldives in line with practices followed in developed democracies. He stated that holding both elections together would also result in significant savings to the State budget, estimating savings of around MVR 80 million.

Falah added that, in addition to financial benefits, the amendment would complete reforms to the political system. He also said that long-standing issues avoided by previous administrations are now being addressed under the leadership of President Dr Mohamed Muizzu.

Under the proposed amendment, parliamentary elections would be held at the same time as the presidential election, in accordance with Article 110 of the Constitution. The bill also revises how the parliamentary term is calculated, specifying that the term of Parliament will be five years beginning on 1 December, with dissolution taking place upon the expiry of that term.

The legislation further states that the first sitting of a newly elected Parliament will be held on 1 December following dissolution. In addition, the bill provides that the term of the current 20th Parliament will end on 1 December 2028, instead of 2029 as stipulated under the existing Constitution.

Calls to align presidential and parliamentary elections have been raised for several years, with proponents arguing that simultaneous elections would improve voter turnout and reduce the overall cost of administering national polls.

The bill is currently being reviewed by Parliament’s Independent Institutions Committee.