Tuesday 31 Mar 2026
Former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih speaks at an MDP rally held in H.Dh.Kulhudhuffushi, March 30, 2026. (Photo/MDP)
The Maldives is currently engaged in a high-stakes debate regarding a proposed constitutional shift that would see presidential and parliamentary elections held simultaneously. Former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has emerged as a vocal opponent of this measure, arguing that such a change would fundamentally undermine the system of checks and balances that safeguards democratic integrity. As the nation prepares for a scheduled referendum, political figures, citizens, and constitutional scholars are weighing the potential administrative cost savings against the risk of creating a political environment where leaders feel less obligated to remain answerable to the electorate throughout their five-year terms. The discussion highlights a broader struggle between the desire for efficient governance and the necessity of maintaining robust mechanisms of democratic accountability.
Former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih said on Monday evening that holding the presidential and parliamentary elections on the same day would deprive the public of an important opportunity to hold the government accountable.
A referendum will be held on Saturday to decide whether the two national elections should be conducted together in the future.
Speaking at an MDP rally in Kulhudhuffushi, Solih said the Constitution does not provide for the two elections to be held simultaneously. He noted that presidential and parliamentary elections have always been held separately, and that the MDP has never supported merging them.
Solih, who served in the special assembly that drafted the Constitution, said the idea of combining the two elections was raised during the drafting process but was rejected to ensure a period of accountability between the government and the people.
“If the two elections are held together, the opportunity for accountability between the government and the people will be completely lost. There would be no reason for the leader to return to the people within the same five years. That is the most concerning part,” Solih said.
ރައީސް އިބްރާހީމް މުޙައްމަދު ޞާލިޙް @ibusolih ކުޅުދުއްފުށި ތިޔަފަތަށް ޖަލްސާ ގައި ވާހަކަފުޅު ދެއްކެވުން
— MDP Secretariat (@MDPSecretariat) March 30, 2026
ލޯކަލް ކައުންސިލްތަކާއި އ.ތ.މ ކޮމިޓީގެ އިންތިޚާބު 2026
އެންމެންގެ ވޯޓު ތިލަފަތަށް ⚖️☑️#HeyvallaThayyaaru#GearUp#LCE2026#WDC2026#VoteMDP pic.twitter.com/gumwTevGsK
He added that constitutional amendments require deeper study and broader debate, and criticised what he described as ad‑hoc changes that have created confusion.
Solih urged the public to vote against holding the two elections on the same day.
The proposal has sparked wide debate. The government argues that combining the elections would reduce costs, and the MDA, Adhaalath Party and JP have expressed support. Some within the opposition MDP and former President Abdulla Yameen’s PNF have voiced opposition.
Former Home Minister Umar Naseer said merging elections would indeed reduce spending, but he does not support combining the two major national polls.
