The President of the Elections Commission (EC), Mohamed Zahid, stated today that an additional MVR 20 million would be required to conduct a public referendum alongside the Local Council and Women's Development Committee (WDC) elections scheduled for April 4. The referendum aims to seek public opinion on holding presidential and parliamentary elections simultaneously.

The government has submitted a bill to the People's Majlis to amend the Constitution to allow for synchronized presidential and parliamentary elections. This bill, proposed by the Parliamentary Group Leader of the ruling party and Member for Inguraidhoo Constituency, Ibrahim Falah, was introduced during special sessions held outside the regular term in January. It has since been forwarded to the Committee on Independent Institutions for further review.

However, constitutional amendments of this nature can only be implemented after a public referendum is held to gauge the citizens' view, following parliamentary approval and prior to presidential ratification.

In a gathering held last night to open the PNC campaign office for the Medhu Henveiru constituency, Falah, who also serves as the PNC Campaign Manager, expressed support for holding the referendum on April 4, concurrent with the Council and WDC elections.

Speaking at today’s Committee on Independent Institutions meeting regarding the bill, EC President Zahid noted that while members and media have discussed holding the referendum alongside the local elections, such a move would necessitate an extra MVR 20 million in funding.

Zahid explained that these additional funds would be essential for printing more ballot papers, recruiting more officials, and transporting additional ballot boxes to various locations, as the equipment for the initially planned elections has already been dispatched.