Qasim on merging election: Something long overdue for the nation’s political stability

Jumhoory Party (JP)’s leader and Maamigili MP Qasim Ibrahim states merging the main two elections—the presidential and parliamentary—is a measure that is long overdue for the sake of the nation’s political stability.

On February 10, the ruling PNC used its supermajority in the Parliament to pass constitutional amendments backed by the government to hold future presidential elections and parliamentary elections on the same day.

On February 16, President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu decreed that a public referendum on this – as required by law on such matters – would be held on April 4 – the same day as the local council elections.

President Muizzu and pro-government individuals have argued that the main goal of merging the elections is to cut state spending, citing it will save at least MVR 120 million in expenses. The President has also stated that merging the parliamentary elections with the presidential elections—which typically see the highest voter turnout—would strengthen democracy by ensuring broader public participation.

Qasim Ibrahim stated on Monday, in a post shared on social media, that merging the country’s major elections is an essential necessity. He noted that since the 2008 Maldivian presidential election, every administration has had to work to secure a parliamentary majority. He further highlighted that in the 2019 Maldivian parliamentary election and the 2023 Maldivian parliamentary election, the public granted a three-quarters majority in Parliament to the ruling party.

ދެ އިންތިޚާބު އެއްދުވަހެއްގައި ބޭއްވުމަކީ ކޮންމެ ހެން ކުރަންޖެހިފައިވާ ކަމެއް!

2008 ގެ ރިޔާސީ އިންތިޚާބަށް ފަހު، ރާއްޖޭގެ ސިޔާސީ މަޝްރަޙްގައި ކަންހިނގާފައިވާ ގޮތަށް ބަލާއިރު، ރައީސުލް ޖުމްހޫރިއްޔާ ގެ އިންތިޚާބާއި ރައްޔިތުންގެ މަޖިލީހުގެ އިންތިޚާބު އެއްދުވަހެއްގައި ބޭއްވުމަކީ،… pic.twitter.com/Xiw8tEiyQx

— Qasim Ibrahim (@qasimibrahim) March 8, 2026

Qasim observed that under the current system, a newly elected President is compelled to spend the first six months of the five-year presidential term attempting to secure a majority in Parliament. He also noted that previous parliaments have used their majority to obstruct newly elected administrations, disrupt their initial budgets, and, in certain instances, attempt to initiate no-confidence motions against the President.

In this regard, Qasim stressed that the proposed change is long overdue and necessary to ensure political stability in the country.

“Since the President can ratify this amendment only after receiving the consent of the people, I urge the beloved citizens of the Maldives to vote ‘Yes’ in the referendum that will be held alongside the 2026 Maldivian Local Council Elections in early April,” he stated.

According to Qasim, holding both elections on the same day would benefit the public in several ways. He noted that saving more than MVR 120 million in public funds could allow those resources to be redirected toward other national priorities.

He also remarked that the move could help reduce political tensions arising from parties’ efforts to secure parliamentary majorities, while also minimising allegations of corruption associated with the electoral process.

However, the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has raised concerns regarding the consolidation of the elections, warning that it could potentially open the door to extending presidential terms. The party has also argued that the public has not been given adequate time to become sufficiently informed and prepared to make a decision in the upcoming referendum.