Former President Mohamed Nasheed has announced his stand against the merger of the presidential and parliamentary elections.

In a message to a WhatsApp group of opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) National Council members, Nasheed said he supported the party's decision.

“In the upcoming referendum, I am ready to support the party's decision and say no,” the former President wrote.

He said the cost of democracy is not high and that one of the biggest benefits of the multi-party system is increasing state revenue through the tax system.

Noting that tax revenue is over MVR 3 billion, Nasheed said holding elections and increased participation of the people are the main reasons for development.

The former President previously supported the merger of the elections. But he now says people will not support a proposal that reduces their participation.

Meanwhile, the MDP has gone to the Civil Court to stop the referendum. The party is seeking an interim order to halt the vote until a decision is reached.

The question to be put to the public reads: “Do you approve the ratification of the Eighth Amendment to the Constitution, which provides for the Presidential and People’s Majlis elections to be held concurrently and for a change to the term of the People’s Majlis?”

If the public votes in favour of this, the 2028 presidential and parliamentary elections will be held together. President Mohamed Muizzu is the only confirmed candidate so far.

The government wants to hold the referendum on April 4 during the local councils and Women's Development Committees (WDC) elections.