The MDP will decide tonight how it will proceed with the transition from a presidential to a parliamentary system of government.

The meeting will be held at Imaduddin School at 8:30 pm today, MDP Vice-Chairman, Ibrahim Waheed (Ibrey) said in a tweet.

"The public will be able to listen as long as there is space," he said.

Parliament had passed a motion submitted by MP Ilyas Labeeb to hold a referendum to change the system of governance in the Maldives. After passing the motion, the parliament informed the Elections Commission (EC) to hold a referendum before 30th of October.

Ilyas had noted that in the existing presidential system, no single party is able to win an election single-handedly, and has always had to resort to a coalition to win the presidency. Hence, he noted that a referendum is important and that we should proceed as how the citizens decide.

The MDP and PPM/PNC have agreed to hold a referendum but have not formally decided on a parliamentary system. During the presidential election campaign, senior leaders of the PPM/PNC coalition have expressed their opposition to a parliamentary system. President-elect Dr. Mohammed Muizzu has also said that the people will not want to change the system of government again after a participatory presidential election.

At a press conference at the President's Office yesterday, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih said the people should be asked first.

Despite the President’s remarks, MP Imthiyaz Fahmy has proposed an amendment to the Constitution which states that the public will no longer be consulted on the amendment in connection with a referendum under the general legislative powers of the Parliament.

The article now states that the system of government can only be changed after a constitutional amendment bill is passed by parliament and a referendum is taken before the president approves it.

Speaker of Parliament Mohamed Nasheed had also met with President Solih to discuss the matter. He had also requested a meeting with PPM/PNC leader, former President Abdullah Yameen to discuss the system. However, the meeting was not held due to Yameen's reluctance.