What the referendum really said
A 68.7–31.3 result is not a narrow thing. It was meant to be read as an instruction — and so far it has been.
Two thirds is not a narrow majority. It is, in the small republic of Maldivian politics, closer to a consensus than to a vote — and last Saturday's consensus was not on the merits of joint elections, but on a deeper question about how this government intends to change the constitution.
The president's quick acknowledgement of the result, and his rapid cabinet reshuffle, suggest that the message has been read. The next test will be whether it has been understood.
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