Attempts to cheapen democracy are steps toward self-degradation: Nasheed

Former President Mohamed Nasheed has stated that attempting to reduce the costs of democracy for governance is a step toward undermining one's own standing.

Addressing the residents of B. Thulhaadhoo during a campaign visit for the council elections, President Nasheed stated that referendums are a common practice observed in the world's most developed and prosperous nations.

However, he clarified that the move was not intended to reduce costs, noting that the referendum to combine the two elections in the Maldives is being proposed for that purpose. He further stated that believing democracy must be made "cheaper" for the sake of governance is a step toward undermining one's own standards.

If we attempt to cheapen democracy for the sake of attaining or maintaining power, we are effectively taking a step toward our own decline.

Former President Mohamed Nasheed

He has previously called on the government to reconsider its decision to hold a public referendum on the proposal to synchronize presidential and parliamentary elections.

President Nasheed stated that strengthening democracy in the Maldives is essential. He emphasized that any constitutional amendment should be made through broad consultations with all stakeholders, rather than being rushed.

Opposition parties have accused the government of treating constitutional amendments as a trivial matter by rushing through changes to combine two elections. They allege that this is part of a deceptive plan aimed at establishing an authoritarian regime in the Maldives.

The local council elections are scheduled to be held on April 4, the same day the referendum vote is set to take place.