President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has decided not to ratify the bill amending the general election regulations, which proposed ceasing all elections during the month of Ramadan, thereby delaying the upcoming parliamentary elections. Instead, the President decided to return the amendment back to the parliament.
The amendment, which was passed by Parliament on February 11, was sent to the President's Office for consideration on February 12. Under the grants bestowed under Article 91 of the Constitution, President has decided to return the amendment, citing concerns raised by the Attorney General.
The Attorney General highlighted that certain provisions within the bill could potentially impede the conduct of free and fair elections as mandated by the Constitution. In response, the Attorney General advised the President to address the outlined issues, as specified in a letter, which also included supplementary points of contention.
Key amendments proposed by Parliament include publishing the voter list without revealing personal details such as ID card numbers. The amendment also delegates significant responsibilities to focal points without clarity on their appointment process. The amendment specifies that all arrangements for the upcoming parliamentary election must be finalised 30 days before the Parliament's term expires.
Additionally, the amendment to the General Elections Act states that elections should not coincide with Ramadan unless otherwise specified in the Act or other legislation. If such a coincidence occurs, the election shall be postponed until 10 days after Ramadan concludes. The concerns raised by the Attorney General suggest that addressing these issues is crucial for ensuring the fairness and integrity of the election process.