The bill on postponing parliamentary elections, which was sent back to the Parliament for reconsideration, has been passed without any changes.
President's Office said on Sunday that the bill was returned upon the advice of Attorney General Ahmed Usham that it could obstruct free and fair elections.
The Parliament on Wednesday passed the bill without any changes. Forty-seven MPs voted in favor while 14 MPs voted against the bill.
Article 91 (b) of the Constitution states that if a bill returned by the President is passed by a majority without any changes, it shall be ratified by the President and published in the Government Gazette."
This means that President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu will now have to ratify the bill and publish it in the government gazette.
Meanwhile, the President's Office said on Wednesday that the President will uphold the law and the Constitution.
Communications Minister Ibrahim Khaleel told Adhadhu that the President will proceed in accordance with the law. However, he did not give a specific date for ratification.
The Parliament first approved the bill on February 11 to hold voting 10 days after Ramadan if an election coincides with the fasting month.
Ramadan begins on March 10 this year while the Elections Commission (EC) has scheduled the parliamentary polls for March 17. When the amendment to the General Elections Act is ratified, the polls will be postponed for a date after April 20.
