Parliamentary Committee to Finalize Review of Election Merger Amendment Within 10 Days

The Parliament’s Independent Institutions Committee has set a 10-day deadline to complete its review of a government-proposed constitutional amendment aimed at merging the presidential and parliamentary elections. The amendment, submitted by ruling PNC parliamentary group leader and Inguraidhoo MP Ibrahim Falah, also proposes changing the start date of future parliamentary terms to December 1, beginning with the parliament elected after the current 20th Parliament. The committee opened the amendment for public comment until January 15 and plans to conclude its review on the same day. The move aligns with President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu’s July 2024 announcement to combine the two major elections to reduce state expenditure. If approved, the 21st Parliament would begin on December 1, 2028, following the 2028 presidential election, dissolving the current 20th Parliament on that date.