Former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih stated yesterday during a campaign event in Lhaviyani Kurendhoo that parliamentary elections ought to occur halfway through an administration, specifically 2.5 years into a presidency, enabling voters to evaluate the government’s performance and ensure accountability.

Solih condemned the existing electoral system, where parliamentary elections occur three months following a presidential election. He claimed that this timing allows the current president to wield excessive influence to gain control of parliament. He mentioned that this trend has been consistent through various administrations, highlighting that former president Abdulla Yameen achieved a majority upon assuming office, that he himself garnered a larger majority during his term, and that President Muizzu subsequently attained an even larger one.

He suggested conducting parliamentary elections midway through a presidential term to allow voters to assess the administration’s performance before casting their votes. He also proposed shortening the parliamentary term to 2.5 years to enhance public scrutiny and advocated for a system to hold a president responsible during the term. He stated that the Majlis, as it stands, is unable to guarantee accountability and expressed his view that the public should not endorse the suggested amendments.

His comments follow the Parliament's approval of a government-supported constitutional amendment to combine presidential and parliamentary elections and reduce the term of the existing legislature. The legislation received approval with 72 votes in support and one opposed, after winning endorsement without changes from the Independent Institutions Committee during a short meeting of about five minutes.