Maldives Parliamentary Election: President Muizzu’s Pro-China Stance and Regional Dynamics

The Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu faces a pivotal moment as the nation embarks on its Parliamentary election journey, with citizens across the archipelago casting their votes on Sunday. The significance of these elections extends beyond the borders of the Maldives, as neighboring giants India and China closely monitor the outcome, both vying for influence within the island nation.

President Muizzu’s victory last year exacerbated the longstanding rivalry between India and the Maldives, primarily due to his pro-China stance. His call for the removal of Indian troops stationed on one of the country’s islets further strained relations. In response, Muizzu initiated efforts to transition civilian control over these activities.

The repercussions of Muizzu’s anti-India rhetoric have been felt in the tourism sector, with several Indian travelers boycotting the Maldives as a holiday destination. This shift in sentiment is reflected in recent government statistics, which show a decline in the number of Indian tourists, relegating India from its position as the top source of foreign visitors to sixth place.

Amidst these tensions, allegations of corruption have surfaced against President Muizzu ahead of the polls, adding another layer of complexity to the electoral landscape.

In a bid to strengthen ties with China, Muizzu visited the country earlier this year, successfully negotiating an increase in tourist numbers and inbound flights from China, bolstering the economic prospects of the Maldives.

The Parliamentary elections saw the participation of six political parties, with a total of 368 candidates competing for the 93 available seats. Muizzu’s People’s National Congress party campaigned under the banner of “India out,” criticizing his predecessor for allegedly conceding too much influence to India and compromising national sovereignty. Conversely, the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), led by former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, advocates for a reversal of the country’s geopolitical alignment towards India.

India is closely monitoring the electoral process, anticipating that the MDP will secure a majority, enabling robust legislative scrutiny over executive actions and potentially altering the trajectory of bilateral relations.

Approximately 284,000 eligible voters participated in the elections, with tentative results expected to be announced promptly.

Muizzu’s political ascent was forged as a proxy for the pro-China former president, Abdulla Yameen, who was recently released from an 11-year jail term for corruption following a court decision. As the dust settles on these elections, the future of the Maldives hangs in the balance, with the outcome poised to shape its geopolitical trajectory for years to come.