MALE, Maldives, April 5, 2026 (BSS/AFP) - The Maldives voted to reject a government plan to hold presidential and parliamentary elections on the same day to save costs, official results of a referendum showed on Sunday. An overwhelming 68.77 percent voted against the proposal at Saturday's plebicite, in which two thirds of the 294,000-strong electorate participated, according to the Elections Commission of the Maldives. "I respectfully accept the results of Saturday's elections," Muizzu said on X, while congratulating the winners of the local polls. He argued that holding both national elections together would save about $8 million. Home to around 382,000 people, the Maldives insists its financial strains are temporary and says it has no plans to seek external assistance.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha April 05, 2026 12:17 UTC