The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has accused the Elections Commission (EC) of not working to raise awareness about the April 4 referendum to merge the presidential and parliamentary elections.

The MDP spokesperson for the local council elections, Abdulla Waheed, told a news conference that the EC failed to arrange voting mechanisms for a large number of people and is also not working to increase awareness.

“Especially the issue of the EC not providing all the information needed by the people in connection with this election and the issue of not sharing this campaign and this information with the people in different parts of the country,” he said.

"We don't think there are any awareness programs in the country for the upcoming elections, especially in connection with this referendum."

Waheed said the EC has a responsibility to inform the people of the outcome of merging the presidential and parliamentary elections.

The EC earlier said that efforts were being made to raise awareness about the referendum. The EC said campaigns were ongoing in the islands, as well as providing information on television shows.

A total of 294,937 people are eligible to vote in the referendum, and 621 ballot boxes will be set up for the election.