The Elections Commission (EC) has expressed concerns about the clarity of the question to be asked in the referendum regarding the change in the Maldives' government system.
The Parliament recently passed a resolution to conduct the referendum before October 30.
At a press conference held today, EC's President, Fuwad Thawfeek, announced that the referendum is scheduled for October 29. Thawfeek stated that as soon as the budget for the referendum is received, the EC will launch awareness campaigns.
However, EC's Vice-President Ismail Habeeb raised concerns about the lack of clarity in the referendum question, calling on the Parliament to clarify it.
"When you take a general vote like this. When you take a systematic vote, you have to know what the topic is. You have to know what the question is. We have not received that question," Habeeb said.
Habeeb further emphasized the importance of educating the public about the advantages and disadvantages of both the presidential and parliamentary systems before the vote can proceed.
Habeeb added that the budget for the vote had been requested from the Parliament and said that the vote can proceed only when the budget is arranged.
