An emergency motion has been moved in parliament calling for the early ratification of the Election Postponement Bill by President Mohamed Muizzu.

The Elections Commission of Maldives (ECM) had initially set the parliamentary elections for March 17, a date coinciding with the first week of Ramadan, prompting concerns regarding potential low voter turnout.

The Parliament, in a session held on February 11th, endorsed an amendment to the General Elections Act, which states that if an election date falls within Ramadan, the national election must be postponed until 10 days after Ramadan concludes. However, for this amendment to take effect, it requires the formal ratification by President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.

The emergency motion was moved by the Ungoofaaru MP Mohamed Waheed.

Moving the emergency motion, Waheed said the Bill was passed on the 11th of this month and sent to the President for approval on the 12th. The Bill has been sent for more than a week and the people have not received any indication that the bill will be passed, he said.

"The President has said that the parliamentary elections will be held on the 17th of next month. The President has said this while not sending back the Bill without approving it under Article 91 (n) of the Constitution. His intentions are clear about the election on March 17 as the government wants,” Waheed said.

Waheed said the General Elections Act has been amended to require the parliamentary elections to be held 10 days after the end of Ramadan. The change was also made by the ruling coalition, PPM/PNC members.

"However, it is very worrying that the people are in a state of confusion about the official date of the parliamentary elections. Therefore, I call on the President to approve the Bill as soon as possible to allow for an expeditious solution to this issue," Waheed said while moving the emergency motion.

The emergency bill was passed by 23 out of 25 members present in the session.