President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu says the current super-majority system can only realistically be dismantled by holding the Presidential Election and Parliamentary Election concurrently.
He made these remarks at a rally held by the ruling People's National Congress (PNC) last night.
Regarding the proposal to hold presidential and parliamentary elections simultaneously, the President outlined the national rationale behind the move. He argued that the current arrangement, where the two polls are held roughly six months apart, serves no benefit to the nation and often creates an uneven playing field.
He pointed out that a newly elected government can often ride a wave of momentum into the parliamentary race, making it difficult for other parties to compete fairly. This, he noted, undermines the conditions needed for a free and fair election, which is a cornerstone of any functioning democracy.
The President emphasised that the parliamentary election must be made truly free and fair, noting that this is fundamental to electing members who can genuinely hold the government to account. He argued that holding both elections on the same day would result in members from across different parties being elected alongside the President, producing a more balanced parliament with broader representation.
He further asserted that a concurrent arrangement would ensure members are elected on the day of the highest voter turnout and enable accountability to function in its truest sense, adding that the current super-majority system can only realistically be dismantled through this approach.
To demonstrate that the Government's focus is on the national good rather than partisan advantage, the President noted that his Administration is prepared to give up the additional six months that sitting members would otherwise be entitled to, a concession he said no previous government had been willing to make.
