President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has ratified the amendment bill to the General Elections Act which prevents elections during the fasting month of Ramadan.
According to the President's Office, Muizzu ratified the bill upon the advice of Attorney General Ahmed Usham.
The Parliament first approved the bill on February 11 to hold voting 10 days after Ramadan if an election coincides with the fasting month.
But the bill was returned to the Parliament on Sunday for reconsideration as the Attorney General believes that it could obstruct free and fair elections.
However, the Parliament reapproved the bill without any changes on Wednesday. Muizzu sought advice from the Attorney General before ratifying the bill.
Ramadan begins on March 10 this year and the Elections Commission (EC) first scheduled the parliamentary polls for March 17.
Following the ratification of the bill, the EC held an emergency meeting on Thursday night and announced April 21 as the new date for polls.
