Parliament Approves Amendment to Combine Presidential and Parliamentary Elections

The Maldives Parliament has accepted a constitutional amendment aimed at combining the country's two main elections—the presidential and parliamentary elections. The amendment, backed by the government, was proposed by Ibrahim Falah, leader of the ruling Progressive National Congress (PNC) parliamentary group. Falah's proposal seeks to hold both elections simultaneously and adjust the inauguration date of the new parliamentary assembly to December 1st. The amendment was passed with a 46-5 majority during an extraordinary session on Monday. The next presidential election is scheduled for 2028. If the amendment is implemented, the 21st parliamentary assembly will be inaugurated on December 1st, 2028, following a combined election. The amendment has been forwarded to the Judiciary Committee for further review.