The parliament has passed a bill to amend the Constitution to merge the parliamentary and presidential elections and shorten the term of the current People's Majlis as proposed by the government.

The bill passed with 72 votes in favour, including the Speaker. Only one MP, Addu Meedhoo MP Abdul Rahman, voted against the bill.

The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) boycotted the vote after four MDP MPs were removed from the chamber.

The parliament committee took just five minutes to pass the bill. No changes were brought when the chamber, controlled by the ruling People's National Congress (PNC), voted on the bill.

The bill, moved by ruling People's National Congress (PNC) parliamentary group leader Ibrahim Falah, says that the parliamentary elections should be held along with presidential elections.

The bill proposes to change the date of the first session of the newly elected parliament to December 1. This will reduce the term of the current 20th People's Majlis by six months.

The term will end on December 1, 2028, and the administrative arrangements of the new parliament must be completed before that date.

President Mohamed Muizzu earlier said the constitution can only be amended by a public referendum. Attorney General (AG) Ahmed Usham told Adhadhu that the referendum will be held when the bill is sent for ratification.

Muizzu will submit the bill to the Elections Commission (EC). If the people do not support this, the bill will be invalidated, Usham said.

Parliament is expected to use the PNC's super majority to pass the bill to merge the two elections and hold the referendum with the April 4 local council elections.

The EC said the referendum can be held on April 4 if the changes are approved before February 18.

If the bill passes, the parliamentary election will be held along with the presidential election in 2028. Muizzu is the only candidate confirmed to contest so far.