Combining two elections: President Solih suggests holding parliamentary elections mid-term or conducting a separate mid-term election

Former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has stated that if presidential and parliamentary elections are to be held concurrently, a mechanism must be established to hold the sitting president accountable through a mid-term election.

Speaking at the inauguration of the campaign hub in Lh. Kurendhoo, President Solih noted that under the current system, presidential and parliamentary elections are held separately. However, he expressed dissatisfaction with the present arrangement, where parliamentary elections follow just three months after a president is elected. He further highlighted that this timeline allows the newly elected leader to exert undue influence over the public, often resorting to intimidation to sway the outcome of the legislative elections.

Looking at past parliamentary elections, we saw President Yameen secure a significant majority in the election held after he took office. Then came my administration; after I was elected in 2018, we secured an even larger parliamentary majority in 2019 than Yameen had. Now, we have President Muizzu, who has taken even more seats than that. What is the outcome of this? What is actually happening here? This is not a healthy trend. We must approach this with a better perspective and determine how we can find a sustainable solution for the people.

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih

President Solih stated his belief that the performance of a president elected for a five-year term should be monitored, and that public opinion regarding their work must be gauged at some point during the tenure. One approach, he suggested, would be to align the parliamentary elections with the administration's midterm—at the two-and-a-half-year mark. This would allow the public to evaluate the government's progress and hold them accountable for both their achievements and shortcomings.

Alternatively, there is a way to hold the elections alongside the presidential race as proposed. One option is to shorten the parliamentary term to two and a half years and align it with the presidential election. After that, another vote could be held every two and a half years. It is essential to establish a mechanism to hold the President accountable at some point during their five-year term. Under the current Constitution, this accountability does not lie with the Parliament. While changes are necessary, the current approach is not the most effective way to address this. Therefore, we must reflect deeply on the upcoming referendum scheduled alongside the local council elections. I do not believe we should support President Muizzu on this matter at this time. This vote is not being proposed with sincere intentions. If it were, there would have been consultations with the public, non-governmental organizations, legal experts, members of the judiciary, and political parties. We should not blindly consent to a change brought forward without such proper consultation.

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih

President Solih stated that alongside the local council elections, there remains a significant underlying question. He emphasized the need for careful deliberation regarding the government's move to combine the two elections as a referendum. President Solih questioned why a matter of such magnitude, which directly impacts the public, was rushed through the People's Majlis and passed in just five minutes.

President Solih stated that a referendum should only be brought to the people after extensive debate and discussion, ensuring that the public is clearly informed about the objectives of the vote. He further suggested that there may be a deceptive agenda behind the current referendum proposal. He emphasized that such a significant matter should not be rushed through the People’s Majlis in five minutes and presented to the public in this manner.