Kendhoo MP Mauroof Zakir has said the government wants to extend the presidential term after plunging the country into crisis.
Debating the bill on public referendums, the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) lawmaker said the bill lacks basic requirements.
"What are we trying to do? We have brought the situation in our country to this state and now we are trying to prolong the presidential term. What is this?" he said.
Mauroof expressed concern about the economic and financial situation, especially the increasing value of the dollar.
"People are in debt because of extremely high food prices. People are not getting basic medicines, they are not getting Aasandha," he stated.
He urged parliamentarians to pressure the government about the country's situation and the suspended development projects.
"What we are trying to do is to extend the presidential term to two terms, and merge elections because the President thinks it will cut costs. This is what makes the parliament busy," he said.
During the debate, opposition lawmakers pointed out that the government lacked good intentions in proposing the bill.
But pro-government MPs say it will increase public participation in major decision-making.
