Parliament has opened the amendment bill to the Constitution, which proposes holding two elections simultaneously, for public opinion.

The bill was submitted by PNC parliamentary group leader and Inguraidhoo MP Ahmed Falah. It has been accepted by Parliament and forwarded to the Committee on Independent Institutions for review. During the committee’s meeting today, it was decided to invite public feedback on the proposed amendment until the 15th of this month.

The Parliament Secretariat has called on interested parties to submit their views and comments on the bill to the Committee on Independent Institutions by 2:00 pm on Thursday, 15 January.

Under the proposed amendment, elections to select members of the People’s Majlis will be conducted in line with Article 110 of the Constitution. The term of the People’s Majlis would be set at five years, effective from December 1, with Parliament being dissolved at the end of its term. The first sitting of a new Majlis would also take place on December 1 following the dissolution.

If the constitutional amendment is ratified, the term of the current 20th People’s Majlis would be shortened, ending on December 1, 2028. Under the existing Constitution, the current Parliament is scheduled to expire in 2029.