The presidential and parliamentary elections are being merged to eliminate “political turmoil” altogether, President Mohamed Muizzu has said.
Although Muizzu did not participate in the ruling People's National Congress (PNC) cycle rally on Friday evening, he addressed supporters in front of the party campaign hall at the end of the rally.
“I am asking the people to say yes, yes, yes, and mark yes to this request to hold the two elections together for a very noble purpose,” Muizzu said.
"In order to maintain peace in our country, to eliminate political turmoil in this country."
Muizzu believes merging the two key elections is important to ensure progress and the welfare of the people. However, he did not talk about the details.
The benefit of merging the elections is to avoid influence and enable the largest number of people to vote, he said.
Muizzu said that such changes are being brought under a reform agenda, which also includes capping the number of MPs and ensuring the independence of the judiciary.
Meanwhile, legal experts are pointing out the issues in the referendum scheduled for April 4.
There are also growing criticisms and concerns that the two elections are being merged to concentrate powers in Muizzu's hands.
