The Democrats have submitted a motion to the parliament calling for a general vote to seek public opinion on the change of governance system before 30 November 2023.

The motion was submitted by Hulhudhoo MP and The Democrat's presidential candidate Ilyas Labeeb, who contested the first round of the presidential election as The Democrats' presidential candidate.

Ilyas stated that instead of voting for the public needs, the latter is forced to vote to cast out administrations in every election, owing to the unmet public needs and demands.

"Because some people are politically detained, their supporters and a group of people have always had to work, and the voting has to be done with the intention of freeing them," the resolution said.

Ilyas also noted that no candidate has been able to secure more than 50 per cent of the votes in the first round of the election without forming an alliance which ultimately leads to a falling out halfway through the term. He further added that this hinders the administration's efforts towards development.

Ilyas stated that in order to assess the people's perception of the change of governance system in the Maldives, a vote must be held before 30 November 2023 and that the public should have the right to decide on the system of governance they prefer.

The last vote to seek public opinion to change the system in the Maldives was held on August 18, 2007, under former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, in which the public decided to maintain the presidential system.