MDP Heads to Court to Halt Elections Merger Referendum

The main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has announced plans to file a court case to halt a referendum scheduled for April 4 to merge future presidential and parliamentary elections. On February 10, the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) used its supermajority in Parliament to pass constitutional amendments proposing the merger. President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu later decreed a public referendum on the matter, which will coincide with local council elections. The MDP’s national council has rejected the referendum and formed a taskforce to address the issue. Kendhoo MP Ahmed Mauroof, the group’s spokesperson, accused the PNC administration of attempting to establish a dictatorship by undermining the electoral system. The party contends that the referendum is unconstitutional and seeks to invalidate the decree through legal action.