The government wants to hold a referendum to merge the presidential and parliamentary elections by keeping the people in the dark, former MP and lawyer Ali Hussain has said.

The Elections Commission (EC) has announced a referendum on the plans during the April 4 local council polls.

Speaking during a press conference, Ali Hussain said the people will be in the dark because they will not know who they are going to hold accountable when they vote during a merged election.

"They are actually trying to take a vote by keeping the people in the dark. If the parliamentary elections and the presidential elections are combined, the voter will not know who is really being held accountable. So the people will be in the dark," he said.

Ali Hussain said he believes that holding more elections and asking the people frequently about their views on the government and the running of the state is the best way in a democracy.

Democracy is the government of the people, where the people use their power, he added. Ali Hussain urged the people to vote against merging the two key elections.

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.