MALE: In a surprising turn of events, opposition candidate Mohamed Muiz appears poised for victory in the Maldives presidential election, securing over 53% of the vote, according to local media reports. The election has transformed into a crucial referendum, determining whether India or China will exert greater influence in the country.
As almost all the ballots were counted, Muiz maintained a lead with 17,000 votes over incumbent President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, who received 46% of the vote. With only 11,000 votes yet to be counted, Muiz’s triumph seems imminent. Official results are anticipated later today.
Muiz, initially considered an underdog, emerged as a fallback candidate after the Supreme Court barred his party’s leader, former President Abdulla Yameen, from contesting due to a prison sentence for money laundering and corruption. Neither Muiz nor Solih secured more than 50% in the initial round of voting held earlier in September.
Election Results to Impact Maldives’ Geopolitical Landscape
The campaign centered on the strategic influence of regional powers, with Muiz’s party, the People’s National Congress, being perceived as heavily pro-China. Muiz accused Solih of allowing India an unchecked presence in the country, challenging the country’s sovereignty. Solih countered, emphasizing that the Indian military’s presence was solely for constructing a dockyard under a bilateral agreement and would not infringe upon Maldives’ sovereignty.
Muiz pledged to rebalance trade relations, reduce India’s influence, and remove Indian troops from the Maldives if he won the presidency. The results, when officially confirmed, will significantly impact the geopolitical landscape of the Maldives, shaping its alliances and future engagements with global powers.
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