The government has proposed a bill on public referendums.
President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu wants major changes to the Constitution, especially the chapter on electoral rules.
Ruling People's National Congress (PNC) parliamentary group leader Inguraidhoo MP Ibrahim Falah submitted the bill to the government-controlled People's Majlis.
In his presidential address earlier this year, Muizzu announced that a bill would be proposed to establish a legal framework for constitutional amendments.
Public referendums can be held on:
- Important matters relating to the people
- Issues of national importance
- Changing any provisions of the Chapter on Fundamental Rights and Freedoms of the Constitution
- Changing the duration of the parliament's term
- Changing the duration of the presidential term
- Changing the process of electing the President
- Changing the process of bill ratification
- Changing the territory of the Maldives
- To accept or reject a bill on constitutional amendment when it is not ratified by the President
A majority of the parliament must pass a resolution to go to a vote on important issues affecting the people. The bill also allows for a vote on issues of national importance through a presidential decree.
The resolutions may provide for a vote on more than one issue. Such a resolution can be withdrawn before the Elections Commission (EC) announces the polling date.
Maldivians over the age of 18 can participate in this secret ballot. The EC must hold a vote within at least 45 days and a maximum of 90 days of the request for such a vote.
The last public referendum in the Maldives was held in 2007 to determine the system of governance.
