A bill has been submitted to the People's Majlis on behalf of the government, detailing the circumstances under which a public referendum can be held and the procedures for such a vote.

The bill was presented to the Majlis by PNC's PG Leader and Inguraidhoo constituency member Ibrahim Falah.

According to the bill, a public referendum can be held for:

Important matters concerning the publicSignificant national issuesAmending any article in Chapter 2 of the Constitution ("Fundamental Rights and Freedoms")Amending the constitutional article determining the term of the People's MajlisAmending the presidential term set in the ConstitutionChanging the method of electing the PresidentAmending the article on presidential assent to billsAmending the constitutional article defining the Maldives' territoryWhen the President refuses to ratify a constitutional amendment passed by the MajlisThe bill states that for matters of public importance, a resolution must be passed by a majority in the Majlis to hold a referendum. For significant national issues, the President can decide to hold a referendum by decree.

Both Majlis resolutions and presidential decrees can include multiple issues for referendum. They must also include an information paper with the referendum question and arguments for and against the issue.

The Elections Commission (EC) will conduct the referendum according to the resolution.

Any person aged 18 and above can participate in this secret ballot. The EC must hold the vote within 45 to 90 days of the proposal.

The information paper must be made easily accessible to the public at least 21 days before the vote.

The bill further states that:

Resolutions for referendums can be withdrawn by another resolutionHowever, withdrawal is only possible before the EC announces a voting dateThe reason for withdrawal must be stated in the resolutionPresident Mohamed Muizzu has previously proposed changing the presidential election system to avoid a second round, suggesting a preferential voting system instead.