Sunday 29 Mar 2026
Former Attorney General Aishath Azima Shakoor at the “Siyaasathu Haassa”, a forum organised by Policy MV on the proposal to merge the two main elections, March 26, 2026. (Photo/PSM)
Aishath Azima Shakoor, the former Attorney General of the Maldives, has recently advocated for a significant restructuring of the nation's electoral calendar. Her proposal centers on the consolidation of presidential and parliamentary elections to reduce the frequency of voting cycles. Azima argues that the current system, which subjects the public to frequent election campaigns, induces 'election fatigue' and impedes the government's ability to focus on substantive, long-term policy implementation. By aligning these major elections, the nation could potentially foster a more stable political environment conducive to national development.
Former Attorney General Aishath Azima Shakoor said on Wednesday that political stability in the Maldives would improve if the country held fewer elections.
Speaking at a forum discussing the proposal to hold the presidential and parliamentary elections on the same day, Azima noted that no president has secured a second term since the current constitution came into force. She said the existing legal framework keeps the public in a constant cycle of elections.
Azima argued that holding three major elections within five years creates strain, but added that reducing the number of elections does not undermine democratic principles.
“Does democracy diminish because we ask fewer questions? I will not lose my democratic right simply because I do not vote multiple times to elect a Member of Parliament from my constituency,” she said.
Azima also said the long‑standing mindset that the government must always employ people needs to change. The Maldives, she said, must be able to stand on its own and requires a strong presidential system capable of managing foreign policy and national debt.
“So the fewer the elections, the more stability,” Azima said.
