The People’s Majlis has passed a constitutional amendment mandating the simultaneous holding of presidential and parliamentary elections, marking a decisive shift in the Maldives’ electoral system and advancing the government’s push to streamline democratic governance.
The amendment, submitted on behalf of the government by Ibrahim Falah, requires parliamentary elections to be held every five years alongside the presidential election. It also formally defines the term of a parliamentary session as five years, commencing on December 1.
Following its review by the Committee on Independent Institutions yesterday, the bill was approved on the floor of the People’s Majlis today with 72 votes in favour, securing a clear majority.
As a direct result of the amendment, the tenure of the current 20th People’s Majlis will be shortened by approximately five months, with its term now set to conclude on December 1, 2028. Under the revised constitutional framework, the 2028 Presidential Election and the 2029 Parliamentary Election will be conducted concurrently, ending the long standing practice of staggered national elections.
The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party strongly opposed the bill, claiming the reform undermines constitutional voting rights and could influence the presidential election. During today’s debate, MDP members staged a protest inside the chamber and were subsequently removed from the floor.
Government aligned lawmakers defended the amendment as a practical and people focused reform aimed at reducing election costs, minimising prolonged political campaigning, and ensuring greater administrative efficiency across the country.
With its passage, the amendment reshapes the Maldives’ electoral landscape, setting the stage for a consolidated national vote and reinforcing the government’s drive toward structural and institutional reform.
