Mohamed Muizou votes in the Maldives parliamentary elections. PTI
Lok Sabha polls have begun. While the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party is going all out to ensure its return, India’s opposition bloc is determined to block it. But India is paying close attention to another election in its neighboring country – the parliamentary elections in the Maldives.
Today, more than 280,000 people voted to elect 93 members of the Maldivian Parliament, known as Majlis, to five-year terms. It must be noted that this election is not about electing a president. Mohammad Muizul, whose anti-India stance and engagement with China has made international headlines, will remain in the top job regardless of the outcome of the national elections. But the outcome will determine whether he gains the political muscle to push policy.
Why Maldives elections matter
President Muizu came to power last year in elections for the top job. But his party, the People’s National Congress, is part of a coalition that is in the minority in the 93-member House of Representatives. The Maldives Democratic Party, led by Muizu’s pro-India predecessor Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, dominates parliament with 41 members. The lack of a parliamentary majority has hampered Muizu’s policy plans and opposition members have made clear his anti-India stance. A senior Muizou aide told AFP that “geopolitics was very much behind” the election. “He came to power with a promise to repatriate Indian troops and he is working hard to achieve that. Parliament has not yet cooperated with him.”
India and China Observations
Soon after taking power, Muizu urged a small group of Indian soldiers stationed on the island nation to carry out humanitarian activities to evacuate. He also visited China and met with Chinese President Xi Jinping. After returning, he said: “We may be small, but that doesn’t mean they have the right to bully us.” Although he did not name any country, the remark was seen as a swipe at India.
Last month, however, Muizou appeared to extend an olive branch to the Maldives, acknowledging India’s financial support for Male and saying “India will continue to be the Maldives’ closest ally.” As of the end of last year, the Maldives owed India approximately $400.9 million.
India has so far taken a restrained approach and downplayed tense relations. When asked about New Delhi’s relations with Male after Muizur was elected, External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar said the neighbors need each other. “History and geography are very powerful forces. There’s no escaping it,” he said.
After Muizou came to power, Beijing significantly increased its assistance to the Maldives and signed a number of infrastructure project agreements. Beijing is also paying close attention to the Maldives elections to promote its Indian Ocean strategy and Male”s strategic significance.
What’s the mood in the Maldives?
Maldivian journalist Ahmed Eide described Muizou’s public perception as “mixed” in an interview with New Delhi Television. “I don’t see any party getting a majority. It’s going to be very tight, maybe 50-50,” he said. A major factor that could prevent any party from gaining a clear majority in the House of Representatives is the fragmentation of all major political forces, including the People’s National Congress led by Muizu.
On whether Muizul’s pro-China policies would hurt his party at the polls, former ambassador and Indian Foreign Ministry official Rajiv Bhatia said, “During the presidential election, Muizul’s party won. In the subsequent mayoral elections, he “This is the final stage of the political race and my view is that while the Maldives’ balance with India and China is a major issue, local issues such as public welfare, education, health, transportation and inflation are also important. . “
Mr. Eide said that although Muizu claimed during the campaign for this presidential election that he would not lean towards any country. “But several major projects have been handed over to Chinese companies. So there are questions about whether corruption is involved. We will conduct a poll during the scandal.”
Maldives election results are likely to be announced later today.
