Maldives President’s anti-India party takes absolute control in election
Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu’s party has swept parliamentary elections, posing a threat to India’s long-standing relations with the archipelago nation.
Preliminary results showed that The People’s National Congress won 70 out of 93 seats in Sunday’s vote, while its allies secured three seats, granting them absolute control in parliament.
Six political parties and independent groups fielded 368 candidates in the election, with the number of seats in parliament increased by six to accommodate population growth.
Election chief Fuad Thaufeeq said the turnout was 73 per cent of the 284,663 eligible voters.
Mr Muizzu was elected last year after campaigning on the theme of “India out”, accusing his predecessor Ibrahim Mohamed Solih of compromising national sovereignty by giving India too much influence.
Mr Solih’s Maldivian Democratic Party reportedly won 15 seats, a significant drop from the 65 seats it held previously.
Mr Muizzu’s government is in the process of sending home 89 Indian troops who operate reconnaissance aircraft gifted by New Delhi to patrol the Maldives’ maritime borders.
The nation has 1,192 small low-lying coral islands spanning 800km across the Equator in the Indian Ocean.
The election was closely watched by India and China.
The country is renowned as a luxury holiday destination with pristine white beaches and secluded resorts.
Mr Muizzu negotiated an increase in the number of tourists and inbound flights from China during a visit to Beijing in January. Additionally, he awarded significant infrastructure contracts to Chinese stateowned companies.
China upgraded its diplomatic ties with the Maldives to a “comprehensive strategic co-operative partnership” during the five-day visit.
India has fallen from being the top source of foreign visitors to sixth, according to Maldives government statistics.
Mr Muizzu contested September’s presidential poll as a proxy for pro-China former president Abdulla Yameen, who was released last week after a court overturned his 11year jail term for corruption.