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Citizens of the Maldives have overwhelmingly voted to reject a government proposal to hold presidential and parliamentary elections on the same day.
Official results released by the Elections Commission on Sunday showed that 68.77 per cent of voters opposed the measure during Saturday’s referendum.
The plebiscite saw a high turnout, with two-thirds of the nearly 300,000-strong electorate participating in a vote that also served as a significant barometer of current political sentiment.
The referendum was championed by President Mohamed Muizzu as a vital cost-cutting measure to save approximately $8 million as the nation navigates a period of financial strain.
The plan would have required shortening the current legislature’s term by five months to align with the September 2028 presidential race.
Despite the government’s efforts to stabilise the economy through internal spending cuts—including a 50% reduction in the president’s own salary—voters opted to maintain the existing electoral cycle.
Adding to the government’s challenges, a concurrent local council election resulted in a major setback for the ruling People’s National Congress.
The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party secured decisive victories in key constituencies, including the capital, Malé, and the Addu archipelago.
President Muizzu formally conceded the local results on social media, affirming his respect for the democratic outcome while the nation continues to insist its fiscal difficulties remain manageable without external international bailouts.
