Maldive
The Maldives is set to hold a constitutional referendum on April 4, 2026, coinciding with local elections. The referendum will ask voters whether they support shortening the current parliamentary term and amending the Constitution to hold presidential and parliamentary elections concurrently in 2028. This follows a Presidential decree and the enactment of the Public Referendum Act (Law No. 15/2025).
In January 2026, the government of President Mohamed Muizzu and the ruling People's National Congress (PNC) introduced a constitutional amendment bill to shorten the term of the current People's Majlis (parliament) and align the next parliamentary elections with the 2028 presidential election. The amendment proposes ending the parliamentary term on December 1, 2028, instead of May 2029, and holding future parliamentary elections concurrently with presidential polls every five years.
Parliament passed the amendment bill in February 2026 with broad support, including 72 out of 73 MPs voting in favor, despite opposition protests and abstentions from some opposition lawmakers. Under Maldivian law, amendments to provisions governing the term of Parliament and the conduct of presidential elections require approval in a public referendum.
The government argues that aligning elections would save significant expenditures on electoral administration and logistics. Parliamentary majority leader Ibrahim Falah supported holding the referendum alongside local council elections to minimize costs and expedite implementation of the amendments.
Opposition parties have called for the referendum to be postponed, arguing that constitutional amendments shouldn't be rushed and that the public should be fully informed. The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) passed a resolution to work against holding concurrent elections, planning protests and filing a judicial review petition at the Civil Court, claiming the referendum is being held unlawfully. Concerns have also been raised about the wording of the referendum question potentially not meeting constitutional standards.
The referendum's outcome will have significant implications for the electoral process and political landscape of the Maldives. If approved, it will synchronize the electoral cycles for presidential and parliamentary elections, potentially affecting voter turnout, campaign strategies, and governance dynamics.
