Economy

The Maldivian government’s proposal to merge presidential and parliamentary elections marks one of the most consequential constitutional changes debated in recent years. Framed as an exercise in efficiency and cost reduction, the amendment raises deeper questions about electoral timing, voter participation, and democratic legitimacy
With local council elections—historically the lowest-turnout polls—emerging as the likely vehicle for a national referendum, critics argue that the process risks sidelining meaningful public engagement. Supporters, meanwhile, contend that a unified electoral cycle could stabilise governance and reduce political distraction
This article examines the proposal through the lens of electoral history, political responses, and voter behaviour, asking whether the reform represents administrative pragmatism—or a strategic use of a low-participation window to reshape the constitutional order