In an election that has reshaped the political dynamics of Maldives, President Mohamed Muizzu's China-friendly Progressive Congress (PC), is on the brink of two-thirds majority, securing a stunning victory. According to the results declared for 86 of the 93 assembly seats, Muizzu's party has bagged 66, while 6 seats have been won by independents. The fate of the remaining seven seats has yet to be announced, giving Muizzu's PC a comfortable lead over the needed majority block of 47 seats.
Previously, the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), which held the majority with 44 seats, faced challenges in legislation, highlighting the high stakes of this election for the incumbent government.
Source: aajtak
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Setback for India's Interests
Muizzu's decisive victory poses a significant challenge for India, suggesting voter support for a shift away from the 'India First' policy to a pro-China alignment. Muizzu, who was elected last September as the proxy of former President Abdullah Yameen, had promised to dismantle the 'India First' policy during his campaign.
India's hopes rested on the main opposition MDP, an India-supportive party, to secure a legislative majority, enabling effective oversight of executive actions. Under Maldivian constitution, majority support in parliament is essential to pass all decisions and bills proposed by the government. The new majority obtained by Muizzu's party indicates they can now implement domestic policies and laws with greater ease, without the obstacles previously faced in garnering parliamentary approval.
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Differentiating Between Presidential and Parliamentary Elections
It is worth noting that in Maldives, the presidential elections are decided directly by the public vote, and the presidential term spans five years. Last year, Muizzu defeated his opponent Mohamed Solih in the presidential contest. As for Sunday's voting, it was to elect the Parliament or Majlis, where people vote for five-year term lawmakers. The party with the majority in parliament finds it easier to pass new legislation.
Yameen Released from Detention Last Week
Another pro-China leader, Abdullah Yameen, was freed last week following a court's annulment of his 11-year sentence on corruption charges. After casting his vote in Malé, President Muizzu urged, "Citizens should come out as soon as possible to exercise their right to vote." The Sunday poll does not affect Muizzu's presidency. Meanwhile, the main opposition party, the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), faces a crushing defeat, garnering just a dozen seats.
