Akram breaks with MDP stance as he supports holding both main elections together

Former State Minister for Housing Akram Kamaluddin has expressed support for holding the presidential and parliamentary elections on the same day.

In a post on X, Akram said that conducting both elections simultaneously would reduce the influence of the incumbent president, especially if seeking re-election, on the parliamentary vote. He argued that this would allow voters to elect a parliament that truly reflects their will.

He also noted that voters often do not know which party will come to power when casting their vote for parliamentary candidates. Holding both elections together would resolve this uncertainty, he said.

ރިޔާސީ އިންތިޚާބާއި ރައްޔިތުންގެ މަޖިލީހުގެ އިންތިޚާބު އެއްދުވަހެއްގައި ބޭއްވުމުގައި ބޮޑެތި ފައިދާތަކެއް އެބަހުރި:

އެއް ކަމަކީ ، ވެރިކަމަށް ކުރިމަތިލާ ފަރާތުން ނުވަތަ ވެރިކަމުގައި ހުރެ އިތުރު ދައުރަކަށް ކުރިމަތިލާ ފަރާތުން މަޖިލިސް ހޯދުމަށް ފޯކަސް ކުރާ މިންވަރު ކުޑަވުމުން…

— Akram Kamaludeen (@Akramkdeen) March 26, 2026

“Thirdly, the government’s constant shift in focus due to election pressure will end. This will create an environment in which the government can work towards its main objective,” Akram wrote.

He added that the move would likely increase voter turnout and reduce election-related spending for both governments and political parties.

Akram’s proposal was welcomed by Local Governance Minister Adam Shareef Umar and Fisheries Minister Ahmed Shiyam, who reposted his statement in support.

ދެ އިންތިހާބު އެއް ދުވަހެއްގައި ބޭއްވުމުގެ ފައިދާ ތިޔަ ވިދާޅުވެދެއްވީ ރައްޔިތުންނަށް ވަރަށް ރަނގަޅަށް ފަހުމުވާނެގޮތަށް! މިކަމުގައި މުޅި ޤައުމުގެ މަސްލަހަތު އިސްކުރެއްވީތީ އުފާކުރަން. ޤައުމުގެ ހާލަތު ބަދަލު ކުރެވޭނީ އަމިއްލަ މަސްލަހަތަށްވުރެ ޤައުމުގެ މަސްލަހަތު އިސްކޮށްގެންކަން… https://t.co/AkCoBnjhaA

— Adam Shareef Umar (@Adamshareefz) March 26, 2026

Akram made the statement despite his party, the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), opposing the idea. The People’s National Front (PNF), led by former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom, has also expressed opposition to holding the two elections on the same day.

However, the Maldives Development Alliance (MDA), Adhaalath Party, and Jumhooree Party (JP) have voiced support for the proposal.

A public opinion poll (referendum) on whether the two elections should be held on the same day is scheduled for April 4, coinciding with the local council elections.