In a significant political development, former President Mohamed Nasheed has publicly endorsed the adoption of a preferential voting system for Maldives’ presidential elections. This endorsement aligns with President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s ongoing efforts to reform the nation’s electoral process.
In a recent post on social media platform X, Nasheed stated, “If with preferential voting, I also think that the one-round vote and the formation of a government is a good idea.” This marks a notable convergence between two prominent political figures on the need for electoral reform.
President Muizzu has proposed replacing the current two-round presidential election system with a single-round preferential voting method. This system allows voters to rank candidates in order of preference, ensuring that the elected president has broader support without the need for a costly runoff. The government plans to hold a public referendum on this proposal later this year.
Supporters of the reform argue that a single-round election under a preferential voting system would reduce election-related costs and ensure that the elected president secures the support of more than 50 percent of the voters. The administration is also considering holding presidential and parliamentary elections simultaneously to further streamline the electoral process.
While Nasheed’s endorsement adds weight to the proposal, the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has expressed concerns. MDP Chairperson Fayyaz Ismail has alleged that the proposal to abolish the two-round system is an attempt to commit electoral fraud.
As the Maldives prepares for the upcoming referendum, the convergence of views between President Muizzu and former President Nasheed on electoral reform indicates a potential shift towards a more streamlined and representative voting system.
