Maldivian President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, who is seeking a second term, will face a runoff election later this month, following stiff competition from his main rival in Saturday’s fragmented presidential race.
According to local media reports — published ahead of the final tally of the Election Commission — Mohamed Muizzu, fielded by the opposition bloc led by jailed President Abdulla Yameen, obtained the highest vote share of about 46%, while Mr. Solih secured nearly 40% of the ballot. With both the incumbent and his chief rival falling short of the required 50% of the ballot, a second round became inevitable, as per the country’s election rules. The remaining six candidates who were in the running trailed way behind. Estimates in local media pointed to a significant drop from the near-90% turnout in the last presidential election in 2018.
Continuity vs change
In capital Male, voting began early on Saturday, as citizens lined up to choose between change and continuity in the country’s leadership. “I wouldn’t necessarily say I want change, but I certainly want improvement in planning and implementing policy,” said a 33-year-old voter who asked not to be named. “I am here to basically exercise my democratic right,” she told The Hindu, outside a polling station.
Incumbent Solih, elected in 2018 from the ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), sought to be re-elected. However, the party split two months ago, when Parliamentary Speaker and former President Mohamed Nasheed decided to break away with a section of Mr. Solih’s former supporters, citing political differences.
Voters seen at a polling station on the day of the Presidential elections of the Indian Ocean Archipelago. | Photo Credit: Meera Srinivasan
Most candidates, including Mr. Solih, have promised housing infrastructure, economic development, and opportunities for youth in their manifestos. Some voters said the televised debate helped them make up their mind. “I did not want to go by the poll manifesto, so I have decided based on the debate. I think we need a leader who has a clear vision and the ability to express it to the public,” said a first-time voter, also requesting anonymity.
As many as 574 ballot boxes were placed across the capital, and in over 300 atolls, in addition to tourist resorts and overseas election centres, the island nation’s Election Commission said. The Indian Ocean archipelago has a 99.4 % literacy rate, and of its 5.2 lakh-population, more than half were eligible to vote.
President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih after his last campaign rally. | Photo Credit: Meera Srinivasan
Foreign policy
India shares close ties with the incumbent Solih administration, and New Delhi would closely watch the poll outcome. President Solih adopted an “India-first” approach to his foreign policy, drawing sharp attack from Mr. Yameen, who spearheaded the ‘India Out’ campaign. Amid growing criticism, Mr. Solih told The Hindu in a 2021 interview that “Malé makes no apology for ties with India”. The possible return of Mr. Yameen’s political bloc to power will have serious implications for the Indian Ocean Archipelago’s relations with India, observers noted.
