Faisal says merging presidential and parliamentary elections is an attempt to defend power

Former Vice President Faisal Naseem has expressed concern that the government’s proposal to merge the presidential and parliamentary elections is an attempt to consolidate power rather than a measure to reduce costs.

In a detailed post on X on Tuesday, Faisal said Parliament exists to hold the government accountable, and that an independent, functioning legislature ultimately benefits the public. He argued that combining the two main elections would weaken that accountability.

ޚަރަދު ކުޑަ ކުރުމުގެ ނަމުގައި ދެ ވޯޓު އެއްކޮށްލަން ސަރުކާރުން ހުށަހަޅާފައިވާ ބަދަލަކީ، އެހެން މަޤުސަދެއް އޭގައި ހިމެނޭ ކަމެއް.
ރައްޔިތުންގެ މަޖިލީހަކީ ސަރުކާރަށް ފާރަވެރިވެ، ޖަވާބުދާރީ ކުރުވުމަށް އޮންނަ ބާރެއް. ޒިންމާދާރު މަޖިލީހެއް އޮތުމުން، އޭގެ ފައިދާ ކުރާނީ ސީދާ…

— Faisal Naseem (@FaisalNasym) January 6, 2026

Faisal said the proposed constitutional amendment has “another purpose,” noting that over the past six years, changes to the Constitution and laws have increasingly concentrated state powers in the hands of the government. This, he warned, risks eroding the independence of state institutions and increasing political influence over them.

“Making certain changes to the Constitution and laws to facilitate election victory will do very bad things,” he wrote.

Faisal added that when those in power work to prolong their hold on office, it harms the public, destabilises the country, and weakens the economy. He urged President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu to preserve Parliament’s independence, especially its role in appointing members to independent institutions, and to keep the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) free from political influence.

He also called on the public to oppose sudden, politically driven changes to the Constitution and to ensure that any amendments are made responsibly.

Faisal then outlined several requests for the President, including:

• Prioritising education and experience over family or party ties  

• Avoiding the politicisation of projects and policies passed on by previous governments  

• Planning development with long‑term focus rather than frequent changes  

• Respecting public rights  

• Expanding employment opportunities for Maldivians, especially in high‑income jobs currently held by foreigners  

• Increasing national prosperity  

• Prioritising regional development  

The Independent Institutions Committee of Parliament has begun reviewing the government’s proposed amendment to merge the two elections and has set a 10‑day timeline to complete its work.

The amendment was submitted on Monday by PNC parliamentary group leader and Inguraidhoo MP Ibrahim Falah. He also proposed shifting the start date of future parliamentary sessions to December 1, beginning with the parliament elected after the 20th term.

President Muizzu first announced the idea on July 7, 2024, saying that holding the two elections together would save at least MVR 120 million, which he said could be used to support low‑income families.

So far, only former President Mohamed Nasheed has publicly supported the amendment. The MDP, former party chairperson Fayyaz Ismail, and former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom have all voiced opposition.

Since the ruling PNC secured a clear parliamentary majority, the Constitution has been amended twice, including a change that expels MPs who switch parties after being sworn in.