President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has agreed to a proposal by The Democrats to hold a referendum on the system of government in the Maldives.
Solih, who is campaigning for re-election on the ticket of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), told reporters that the Democrats want a referendum on the system of government.
The Democrats leader former President Mohamed Nasheed wants the vote to be taken before the second round of the election on September 25, but it would not be practical, Solih said.
The run-off round between Solih and opposition candidate Dr. Mohamed Muizzu is scheduled for September 30.
"I have told them it would not be so practical [to hold the referendum before the second round]. Let's set a date on this matter after the vote. We also discussed a date," Solih told reporters during a door-to-door event in Male'.
The President said he would submit the resolution to the Elections Commission (EC) once it is passed by the Parliament. The resolution was submitted to the Parliament by the Democrats.
Solih said he would submit a written request to the EC to hold the referendum on a specific date.
“Therefore, after the presidential election, I will provide ways to do that [hold a referendum]. That is my proposal to them,” he said.
Solih said the Democrats have not yet responded regarding his proposal.
The Democrats was formed by a number of senior MDP leaders who left the party after Nasheed's defeat during the party primary earlier this year. Relations between Nasheed and Solih have since deteriorated.
However, the President said he held an "easy conversation" with Nasheed on Sunday.
"We talked for the first time in a long while yesterday. I don't see us as having a long distance. We were able to begin our conversation just like old times," he said.
He said the only discussion during Sunday's phone call with Nasheed was regarding the proposal to change the system of government.
