The Maldives Development Alliance (MDA) has backed the government’s plan to hold the presidential and parliamentary elections on the same day. In a statement issued today, the party said it welcomed President Dr Mohamed Muizzu’s decision.
The MDA said holding both elections together would be in the best interest of the state and the Maldivian people. The party said it fully supports the government’s position that combining the elections would ease financial pressure, reduce expenditure and help manage state debt.
The statement added that the move represents a strong and positive step forward for the country. A public vote is scheduled for 4 April to decide whether the Constitution should be amended to allow the two elections to be held on the same day.
The ruling PNC and the JP have also urged the public to vote in favour. The opposition MDP, however, has reversed its earlier stance and now opposes the proposal. Two former MDP presidents, Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and Mohamed Nasheed, had previously spoken in favour of holding the elections on the same day.
With the MDA’s endorsement, the government’s reform push is expected to gain further political momentum.