Speaker Mohamed Nasheed and his Democrats party have decided to allow President-elect Dr. Mohamed Muizzu to rule under a presidential system and removed the issue of a public referendum from the agenda of Wednesday’s sitting of parliament.
At the start of today’s sitting, Nasheed said that he had told President-elect Muizzu when the pair met yesterday that the referendum on the system of government would be shelved.
“Work is ongoing in parliament on taking a vote on the system of government. However, [I told Muizzu that] both myself and members of The Democrats party that sought the vote wish not to do that work at this moment. That the Democrats wishes for Dr. Muizzu to form his government and work under a presidential system,” Nasheed said.
Despite shelving plans for a referendum, Nasheed said revisiting it at a later date was discussed, which Dr. Muizzu supported.
“However, I said talk on the system hasn’t disappeared from the political arena or the Maldivian community. So I requested to work towards that. When I requested, he said ‘in due course we can circle back to it and ask the public,’” Nasheed said.
Nasheed appealed at today’s sitting to facilitate the opportunity for Dr. Muizzu to govern in a presidential system.
In addition, Nasheed said he assured the President-elect that he would complete the processes required through parliament for Muizzu to assume office.
“[I told him that] I would cooperate through this Majlis’ procedures with the swearing-in and things needed to begin the government,” Nasheed said.
The Democrats proposed holding a referendum on choosing a system of government before October 30. But the Elections Commission (EC) said a vote cannot be taken within the timeframe.
