President Mohamed Muizzu's manifesto does not include merging the presidential and parliamentary elections, former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih said last night (March 7).

The government wants to merge the two key elections. The Elections Commission (EC) has announced a referendum on the plans during the April local councils election.

Speaking at a campaign event of the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) in Kaafu Maafushi, Solih criticised the lack of transparency and the secretive manner of the referendum.

“A leader comes to power with promises to the people and a manifesto. Is this in the pledges book of the current President Muizzu?” Solih asked.

Muizzu did not announce plans to merge the elections before he came to power, he said.

"There are people (MPs) who were elected for five years. Did they (Government) say that they are being elected for four years and six months?" Solih further questioned.

The people do not want to merge the two elections in the guise of saving MVR 60 million, and this will bring negative consequences, said Solih, who had been an MP for 25 years before serving as the President from 2018 to 2023.

The question to be put to the public in the referendum 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. Muizzu is the only confirmed candidate so far.