Nasheed urges government to rethink referendum as Maldives faces need to cut spending

President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu (R) and former president Mohamed Nasheed (L). (Photo/People's Majlis)

Former President Mohamed Nasheed has publicly urged the Maldivian government to abandon plans for a constitutional referendum scheduled for April 4. The proposed vote seeks to merge presidential and parliamentary election cycles. Nasheed argues that holding such an event is fiscally irresponsible given the current economic instability, exacerbated by global conflicts. Highlighting the nation's recent request for fuel assistance from India, he emphasizes the necessity of demonstrating financial maturity. Furthermore, he contends that any constitutional reform requires broad, inclusive, and thorough political consultation rather than a rushed administrative process.

Former President Mohamed Nasheed calls for the cancellation of the April 4 constitutional referendum.
The referendum aims to merge presidential and parliamentary elections alongside local council polls.
Economic pressures, including a request for fuel assistance from India, drive the argument for fiscal austerity.
Nasheed advocates for inclusive, cross-party consensus on constitutional changes rather than accelerated legislative actions.
The opposition MDP has shifted its stance to formally oppose the merger of election cycles.

Former President Mohamed Nasheed on Thursday called on the government to rethink holding a constitutional referendum at a time when the Maldives is under pressure to cut national spending due to the global economic impact of the ongoing Middle East war.

The government plans to hold a public referendum on April 4 to decide whether to merge the presidential and parliamentary elections. The vote will take place alongside the local council elections.

In a post on X, Nasheed referenced the Maldives’ recent request for fuel assistance from India and highlighted the importance of fiscal responsibility. He noted that India has repeatedly supported the Maldives during major crises, including the 1988 coup attempt, the tsunami, the water crisis, and the COVID‑19 pandemic.

India has consistently supported the Maldives in times of crisis, including the 1988 coup, the tsunami, the water crisis, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Given the current situation, I understand the Maldives has requested fuel assistance from India. It's essential for the Maldives to…
— Mohamed Nasheed (@MohamedNasheed) March 12, 2026

Quoting directly from his post, Nasheed wrote:

“India has consistently supported the Maldives in times of crisis, including the 1988 coup, the tsunami, the water crisis, and the COVID‑19 pandemic. Given the current situation, I understand the Maldives has requested fuel assistance from India. It's essential for the Maldives to demonstrate responsibility as well. Strengthening democracy in the Maldives is crucial for regional resilience. Any constitutional amendments should follow thorough, inclusive discussions among all parties, rather than rushed processes. I urge the Maldives government to reconsider the referendum on constitutional amendments.”

Nasheed said constitutional changes must be made only after broad consultation with all political parties.

Then-President-Elect Dr. Mohamed Muizzu meets with the then-Speaker of Parliament Mohamed Nasheed on October 3, 2023. (Photo/People's Majlis)

When the idea of merging the two elections was first proposed, Nasheed was the only opposition leader who publicly supported the amendment. However, the MDP has since officially decided to oppose it, and Nasheed has informed members of his party’s national assembly WhatsApp group that he is now prepared to vote against the amendment as well.

The ruling PNC, along with MDA and JDP, supports holding the two elections on the same day. The opposition MDP and former President Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayoom have stated they do not support the proposed constitutional change.

By Azhaar Abdul Azeez

Writer