Parliament’s Committee on Independent Institutions has decided to hold discussions with political parties, the Attorney General and the Elections Commission on a proposed amendment to hold parliamentary elections at the same time as the presidential election.

The decision was taken after the committee passed a motion submitted by Baarah MP Ibrahim Shujau and seconded by West Henveiru MP Ali Ibrahim. Shujau said consultations were necessary as the Maldives operates under a multi-party system and the Elections Commission is the legal authority responsible for conducting elections. He requested separate meetings with the EC and the Attorney General to seek their legal opinions.

The amendment bill to the Parliamentary Elections Act has been accepted by Parliament and referred to the Committee on Independent Institutions. Work on the related constitutional amendment began at a special parliamentary sitting on 5 January 2026, following the submission of the bill by PNC MP Ahmed Falah.

The bill has been opened for public comment until 15 January, and the committee is scheduled to review it before the first parliamentary session beginning on 5 February.

If ratified, the amendment would shorten the term of the current 20th People’s Majlis, ending it on 1 December 2028, instead of 2029, and align parliamentary elections with the presidential election cycle.