Elections Commission (EC) President Fuad Taufeeq has said that MVR 130 million can be saved from the current expenditure on elections if the presidential and parliamentary elections are held together.

Fuad made the remarks in response to questions raised by lawmakers at a meeting of the Parliament's Independent Institutions Committee on Wednesday.

When asked about the challenges if the law was changed to combine the two elections, Fuad said there won't be challenges. He said it would create convenience for the public as well.

Elaborating on the benefits of holding the two elections simultaneously, Fuad said that then most of the current expenditure on elections could be saved. Fuad said that MVR 130 million could be saved if the presidential and parliamentary elections were held simultaneously.

"Another benefit of this is that there is an increase in the turnout and if two elections are held simultaneously, there is a possibility of turnout exceeding 90 percent," he said.