President Accuses Opposition of Opposing Merger After Previously Backing It

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has accused the opposition of refusing to support the proposal to merge the presidential and parliamentary elections, claiming they are 'used to setting the election' to their advantage. A nationwide referendum on whether the two elections should be held on the same day is scheduled for April 4, alongside the local council elections. Senior leaders of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom have publicly opposed the move. President Muizzu stated that he had carefully considered the opposition’s objections, noting that some opposition figures had previously supported holding the two elections together. He argued that those accustomed to 'perimeter marking' ahead of elections now oppose the merger despite having advocated for it earlier. The President emphasized that combining the elections would increase voter participation. The MDP has filed a petition in court seeking an interim order to halt the referendum, arguing that the President’s resolution does not provide the required campaign period.