Voting for the parliamentary elections in the Maldives continues amidst diplomatic tensions with India. Sunday's pivotal elections are being closely watched by both India and China, while posing as a defining moment of strength for the anti-India incumbent President Muizzu. Since his ascent to presidency in September 2023, the Maldives has notably tilted towards China.
The Maldivian Election Commission reports that a total of 368 candidates from eight political parties are contesting across 93 constituencies. Over 280,000 voters are set to cast their ballots at 602 polling stations, including three overseas centers in Colombo, Trivandrum, and Kuala Lumpur.
These parliamentary elections are critical for President Muizzu as the lack of a majority in Parliament makes it challenging for him to pass new laws. The Maldivian constitution mandates that all parliamentary decisions and government-proposed bills require a majority to pass.
What has President Muizzu said about the elections?
President Mohammed Muizzu encourages citizens to participate in the parliamentary elections. He denotes the act of voting as a constitutional right and duty that should be exercised by all. Muizzu's PPM-PNC alliance clinched the presidential election victory in September 2023 by defeating Mohammed Solih with the 'India Out' campaign. President Muizzu and his People's National Congress party are perceived as pro-China, while Solih is viewed as pro-India.
However, India hopes that the main opposition and India-friendly Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) will secure a majority.
The International Perspective: India and China's Interest
The strategically located nation of over 100 islands in the Indian Ocean is of significant importance to India. Experts believe that both India and China are keenly observing the outcomes, viewing the election as a referendum on whether the Maldives should maintain close ties with India or shift towards China.
President Muizzu is seen as a proxy candidate for former President Abdullah Yameen, under whose presidency relations with India reached a nadir. Now, with regional dynamics changing, this election is more than just a local affair.
What is the opposition party saying?
Prior to the voting, MDP leader and former foreign minister Abdullah Shahid expresses confidence in victory, citing failures in both domestic and international policies by the Muizzu government during the last five months, leading to a decline in democratic values.
Shahid says, "Workers in government-owned companies are being intimidated, thousands of opposition supporters are threatened with suspensions and dismissals, and services delivery is being restricted based on political affiliation."
