The Parliament has approved an amendment to the General Elections Act, delaying the upcoming parliamentary elections until after the month of Ramadan.
The amendment to the General Elections Act was proposed by Ihavandhoo MP Mohamed Shifau, in response to concerns raised when the Election Commission initially scheduled the elections for March 17, coinciding with the first week of Ramadan. The amendment states that elections cannot be held on any day during Ramadan, regardless of provisions in the Act or any other law. Instead, if the election date coincides with Ramadan, it will be postponed until 10 days after the conclusion of the month of fasting.
The amendment grants the Election Commission the authority to adjust deadlines outlined in election-related laws if they are affected by the rescheduling. It also mandates that the register of eligible voters must be made public at least 45 days prior to the election date.
The ad hoc committee formed to study the matter approved the amendment last week, and a vote on the matter was taken at Sunday's parliament sitting. A total of 46 MPs voted in favour of the amendment while three voted against it.
