Former Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) Chairman Reeko Moosa Manik has warned that any constitutional amendment made without proper procedure and public consent would amount to a violation of the Constitution and should be punishable.

In a post shared on social media, Reeko said the Constitution is structured to ensure that major changes—such as altering the system of government, redefining state structure, or transferring citizens’ rights—cannot be made without the clear consent of the people. He stressed that sensitive issues like decentralisation and the leasing or ownership of state land by foreigners cannot be decided solely by the government.

Reeko added that any such amendment should be reviewed by a special committee appointed by Parliament and submitted to the Election Commission. He warned that bypassing full parliamentary oversight would constitute a constitutional breach.

His remarks come as the government’s proposed amendment to merge presidential and parliamentary elections has been sent to a parliamentary committee. While the government says the move is aimed at reducing costs and administrative challenges, the opposition has raised concerns over its impact on electoral independence and transparency.