Parliamentary election postponed as president ratifies bill

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has ratified the bill to amend the General Elections Act at the advice of the Attorney General which would effectively postpone this year’s parliamentary election.

The parliamentary elections was initially scheduled for March 17th – which falls within the first week of Ramadan. The ratification of the bill means the election can only be held 10 days after Ramadan ends.

Parliament initially passed the bill on February 11. It was rejected by the president two weeks later, on Monday.

The same bill was passed again, with a majority vote of 47-14, on Wednesday afternoon.

According to the constitution, if the Parliament passes a bill that is rejected by the president for a second time without any amendments, and with a clear majority of the legislative body, the president is compelled to ratify the legislature.

Announcing the ratification of the bill on Thursday night – the President’s Office said the president has previously stated he was against holding the election in Ramadan.

In this trajectory, the Office said President Muizzu had hoped for a way for the election to be held before Ramadan. However, the President had repeatedly remarked that the election will be held on March 17th during his recent visits to atolls.

The remark was reiterated during a meeting he held with N. Holhudhoo residents on Wednesday after the parliament sent the bill for ratification after passing it for the second time.