2024 Maldivian parliamentary election

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2024 Maldivian parliamentary election
Flag of Maldives.svg
←  2019 21 April 20242029 →
All 93 seats in the People's Majlis
47 seats needed for a majority
PartyLeaderVote %Seats+/–
PNC Mohamed Muizzu 47.4866+63
MDP Abdulla Shahid 30.7412−53
MDA Ahmed Siyam Mohamed 1.9120
JP Qasim Ibrahim 1.471−4
MNP Mohamed Nazim 0.501New
Independents –14.5211+4
This lists parties that won seats. See the complete results below.
2024 Maldivian parliamentary election map (1).svg
Speaker beforeSpeaker after
Mohamed Aslam
MDP 		Abdul Raheem Abdulla
PNC

Parliamentary elections were held in the Maldives on 21 April 2024, [1] having previously been scheduled for 17 March. [2] The election date was changed to April after President Mohamed Muizzu ratified election postponement bill by the People's Majlis passed on 28 February. [3] [4] Due to Grade 7, 8 and 9 exams scheduled for 16–27 April clashing with the parliamentary election date, the Ministry of Education decided to bring forward the tests to 27 March–25 April. [5]

Contents

The result was a landslide victory for Muizzu's People's National Congress (PNC) and a heavy defeat for the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), which won a similar landslide in the 2019 elections. The results were seen as an endorsement of Muizzu's plan to press ahead with closer economic cooperation with China and a rebuke of the pro-India MDP, which had sought to disrupt efforts to realign Maldivian diplomacy. [6] [7]

Background

The election was held amid a dispute between President Mohamed Muizzu and the outgoing People's Majlis, which blocked several of his initiatives as well as the appointment of three of his nominated cabinet members. [8]

Electoral system

The 93 seats in the People's Majlis are elected in single-member constituencies using the first-past-the-post system. [9] Prior to the elections, the number of seats was increased from 87 to 93, with six new seats created. [10] In the election, 93 constituencies are being contested by a total of 368 candidates, while around 284,000 people are eligible to vote. [1]

Constituencies

Seats in the People's Majlis are split in conformity of Article 10 of the Electoral Constituencies Act which emphasizes stabilization of equal balance amid representation of parliamentary seats. The Act stipulates that two representatives must be appointed for a populace of 5000 or fewer in an administrative division with an additional seat allocated to account for a population surge of another 5000 constituents. [11]

Consequent to the observation of population increases across several regions within the last five years, the number of constituencies was increased to 93 with six new constituencies added to the earlier 87 seats in the 19th parliamentary term. [12] [13]

List of constituencies
SL No.CodeConstituencyTotal Voters
1A01Hoarafushi Constituency3,540
2A02Ihavandhoo Constituency3,457
3A03Baarashu Constituency3,483
4A04Dhidhoo Constituency3,078
5A05Kelaa Constituency3,188
6B01Hanimaadhoo Constituency3,128
7B02Nolhivaram Constituency3,316
8B03Vaikaradhoo Constituency2,813
9B04Kulhudhuffushi Uthuru Constituency3,559
10B05Kulhudhuffushi Dhekunu Constituency3,514
11B06Makunudhoo Constituency3,457
12C01Kanditheemu Constituency3,510
13C02Milandhoo Constituency3,085
14C03Komandoo Constituency3,412
15C04Funadhoo Constituency3,400
16D01Kendhikulhudhoo Constituency3,267
17D02Manadhoo Constituency3,139
18D03Velidhoo Constituency3,030
19D04Holhudhoo Constituency3,063
20E01Alifushi Constituency3,635
21E02Ungoofaaru Constituency3,313
22E03Dhuvaafaru Constituency3,479
23E04Inguraidhoo Constituency3,574
24E05Maduvvari Constituency3,368
25F01Thulhaadhoo Constituency3,426
26F02Eydhafushi Constituency2,527
27F03Kendhoo Constituency2,591
28F04Hithaadhoo Constituency2,401
29G01Hinnavaru Constituency3,808
30G02Naifaru Constituency4,094
31G03Kurendhoo Constituency2,089
32H01Kaashidhoo Constituency2,853
33H02Thulusdhoo Constituency2,074
34H03Maafushi Constituency2,825
35H04Huraa Constituency2,345
36I01Maamigili Constituency2,878
37I02Mahibadhoo Constituency2,685
38I03Dhangethi Constituency2,538
39J01Felidhoo Constituency1,039
40J02Keyodhoo Constituency915
41K01Dhiggaru Constituency2,698
42K02Mulaku Constituency2,795
43L01Bileydhoo Constituency2,459
44L02Nilandhoo Constituency1,950
45M01Meedhoo Constituency2,697
46M02Kudahuvadhoo Constituency3,155
47N01Vilufushi Constituency2,905
48N02Thimarafushi Constituency2,874
49N03Kinbidhoo Constituency3,268
50N04Guraidhoo Constituency2,707
51O01Isdhoo Constituency3,305
52O02Gamu Constituency3,869
53O03Fonadhoo Constituency3,064
54O04Maavashu Constituency3,038
55P01Vilingili Constituency2,742
56P02Dhaandhoo Constituency2,623
57P03Gemanafushi Constituency2,967
58P04Kolamaafushi Constituency2,358
59Q01Thinadhoo Uthuru Constituency2,954
60Q02Thinadhoo Dhekunu Constituency2,679
61Q03Madaveli Constituency3,141
62Q04Faresmaathodaa Constituency3,494
63Q05Gadhdhoo Constituency3,455
64R01Fuvahmulaku Uthuru Constituency3,648
65R02Fuvahmulaku Medhu Constituency3,070
66R03Fuvahmulaku Dhekunu Constituency2,843
67S01Hulhudhoo Constituency2,843
68S02Feydhoo Dhekunu Constituency2,706
69S03Maradhoo Constituency2,754
70S04Hithadhoo Uthuru Constituency4,028
71S05Hithadhoo Medhu Constituency4,280
72S06Hithadhoo Dhekunu Constituency4,071
73S07Addu Meedhoo Constituency2,287
74S08Feydhoo Uthuru Constituency2,989
75T01Hulhumaale Dhekunu Constituency3,193
76T02Medhu henveyru Constituency3,010
77T03Henveyru Dhekunu Constituency2,675
78T04Henveyru Uthuru Constituency2,402
79T05Galolhu Uthuru Constituency3,914
80T06Galolhu Dhekunu Constituency4,033
81T07Machangoalhi Uthuru Constituency2,842
82T08Mahchangoalhee Dhekunu Constituency2,691
83T09Maafannu Uthuru Constituency3,878
84T10Maafannu Hulhangu Constituency3,555
85T11Maafannu Medhu Constituency3,697
86T12Maafannu Dhekunu Constituency2,884
87T13Vilimalé Constituency3,227
88T14Henveyru Hulhangu Constituency2,806
89T15Mahchangoalhi Medhu Constituency2,820
90T16Hulhumalé Medhu Constituency4,230
91T17Hulhumalé Uthuru Constituency3,220
92U01Mathiveri Constituency2,950
93U02Thoddoo Constituency3,024
Total Voters: 284,663

Campaign

The Parliamentary Elections Regulations include a comprehensive code of conduct aimed at regulating the behavior of candidates and their supporters during the campaign period. However, concerns were raised over restrictions imposed by the code on freedom of expression and campaigning. [14]

Despite these concerns, the campaign leading up to the parliamentary elections was relatively peaceful. The Maldives Police Service indicated that they did not anticipate any major disruptions, disturbances, or protests either during the campaign period or on Election Day. However, there were potential risks of some disturbances, particularly due to the alleged links of several candidates to gangs. [14]

One key concern was the possibility of disagreements or clashes between supporters of rival candidates, especially in light of incidents during the People's National Congress (PNC) and Maldivian Democratic Party primaries. The Maldives Police Service said they were prepared to handle any such scenarios that may arise. [14]

People's National Congress

For this election, the PNC entered into a coalition agreement with the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM), but solely fielded candidates from the PNC, contesting to secure all but three seats this term. The constituencies they had relinquished offered leeway for political leaders of Jumhooree Party (Qasim Ibrahim vying for the Maamigili seat), Maldives Development Alliance (MDA)'s Ahmed Siyam running for the Meedhoo Constituency and Maldives National Party (MNP)'s Mohamed Nazim contesting for the North Maafannu seat, with Special Advisor to the President, Abdul Raheem Abdulla affirming that these seats were forfeited in a bid to display respect to these leaders. [15]

Candidates

The People's National Congress had 90 candidates, followed by the Maldivian Democratic Party with 89 candidates. There were 130 independent candidates among 93 constituencies and four candidates from the Adhaalath Party and the Jumhooree Party. Two candidates contested from the Maldives National Party.

PartyNumber of Candidates
Independents 130
People's National Congress 90
Maldivian Democratic Party 89
The Democrats 39
Jumhooree Party 10
Adhaalath Party 4
Maldives Development Alliance 4
Maldives National Party 2
Total368
Source: The Edition

Results

Allegations of vote buying and undue influence were made on election day. [16] [17] Initial results suggested that the president's party, the People's National Congress was on course to win at least 70 seats. [18] [19] Maldivian media described the results as giving a supermajority for the PNC, with its numbers allowing it to achieve the two-thirds in the People's Majlis that is required to amend the constitution. The PNC's successes came at the cost of the MDP, which itself held a supermajority in the outgoing Majlis and lost its strongholds of Malé, Addu City and Kulhudhuffushi to the PNC. [20]

20th Parliament of the Maldives.svg
PartyVotes%Seats+/–
People's National Congress 101,12847.4866+63
Maldivian Democratic Party 65,47630.7412–53
The Democrats 4,6342.180New
Maldives Development Alliance 4,0711.9120
Jumhooree Party 3,1411.471–4
Adhaalath Party 2,5381.1900
Maldives National Party 1,0600.501New
Independents30,93114.5211+4
Total212,979100.0093+6
Valid votes212,97998.10
Invalid/blank votes4,1201.90
Total votes217,099100.00
Registered voters/turnout284,66376.27
Source: ECM, ORF

Aftermath

MDP chair Fayyaz Ismail congratulated the PNC for winning the election but vowed that it would continue to "hold it accountable as responsible opposition". [21] Several independent candidates who won in the election later joined the PNC, pushing its total number of seats to 73. [22] [23]

Reactions

The United States Department of State said it was "glad to hear observers reported no major issues or irregularities, and that the results are indicative of the will of the people". [24]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">History of the Maldives</span>

The history of the Maldives is intertwined with the history of the broader Indian subcontinent and the surrounding regions, comprising the areas of South Asia and the Indian Ocean. The modern nation is formed of 26 natural atolls, comprising 1194 islands. Historically, the Maldives has held strategic importance due to its location on the major marine routes of the Indian Ocean. The Maldives's nearest neighbors are the British Indian Ocean Territory, Sri Lanka and India. The United Kingdom, Sri Lanka, and some Indian kingdoms have had cultural and economic ties with the Maldives for centuries. In addition to these countries, Maldivians also traded with Aceh and many other kingdoms in what is today Indonesia and Malaysia. The Maldives provided the primary source of cowrie shells, which were then used as currency throughout Asia and parts of the East African coast. Most likely, the Maldives were influenced by the Kalingas of ancient India. The Kalingas were the earliest region of India to trade with Sri Lanka and the Maldives and were responsible for the spread of Buddhism. Stashes of Chinese crockery found buried in various locations in the Maldives also show that there was direct or indirect trade contact between China and the Maldives. In 1411 and 1430, the Chinese admiral Zheng He (鄭和) visited the Maldives. The Chinese also became the first country to establish a diplomatic office in the Maldives when the Chinese nationalist government based in Taipei opened an embassy in Malé in 1966. The Embassy of the People's Republic of China has since replaced this office.

The politics of the Maldives take place in the framework of a presidential representative democratic republic, whereby the President is the Head of Government. Executive power is exercised by the government. The President heads the executive branch and appoints the Cabinet; like many presidential democracies, each member of the cabinet need to be approved by the Parliament. The President, along with their pick for vice president, is directly elected by the denizens to a five-year term by a secret ballot. Once in office, they could be re-elected to a second 5-year term, which is the limit allowed by the Constitution. The current President of the Maldives is Mohamed Muizzu, when his predecessor, Ibrahim Mohamed Solih lost the 2023 Maldivian presidential election.

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The Progressive Party of Maldives, is a political party in the Maldives with a total membership of 35,044 as of 25 April 2024. The stated goal of the party is driving Maldives towards an independent and democratic, safe and secure, high income, high human capital, developed nation state with a diversified and robust economy whilst preserving its Islamic heritage. The party is to be dissolved.

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The following lists events that happened during 2024 in the Maldives.

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References

  1. 1 2 Sharuhan, Mohamed (21 April 2024). "Voting begins for Maldives Parliament, watched by India and China vying for control of Indian Ocean". Associated Press . Retrieved 21 April 2024.
  2. ↑ Udhma, Fathimath (10 January 2024). "2024 Parliamentary Election slated for 17 March, 7 Ramadan". Raajje TV . Retrieved 10 January 2024.
  3. ↑ Mohamed, Mariyath (29 February 2024). "BREAKING: President ratifies election postponement bill". The Edition . Retrieved 29 February 2024.
  4. ↑ "Parliament passes election postponement bill for second time". Sun. 28 February 2024. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
  5. ↑ Mohamed, Mariyath (15 March 2024). "Exams preponed to avoid coinciding with Parliamentary elections". The Edition . Retrieved 25 March 2024.
  6. ↑ "Landslide win for pro-China leader's party in Maldives election". South China Morning Post . Agence France-Presse. 21 April 2024. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
  7. ↑ Junayd, Mohamed (22 April 2024). "Maldives pro-China ruling party tipped to win election". Reuters . Retrieved 6 April 2024.
  8. ↑ "Landslide win for pro-China president's party in Maldives parliamentary elections". France 24 . Agence France-Presse. 21 April 2024. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
  9. ↑ "Maldives (People's Majilis) - Electoral System". Inter-Parliamentary Union . Retrieved 23 February 2024.
  10. ↑ Mohamed, Mariyath (10 January 2024). "Parliamentary elections to be held on March 17". The Edition . Retrieved 23 February 2024.
  11. ↑ "ރައްޔިތުންގެ މަޖިލީހުގެ އިންތިޚާބީ ދާއިރާތައް ކަނޑައެޅުމާބެހޭ ޤާނޫނު" [People's Majlis Constituencies elections act]. MvLaw (in Divehi). Attorney General's Office. Archived from the original on 20 April 2024. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
  12. ↑ "Six New Constituencies Added to Parliament, Totaling 93 Seats". MV+. 29 September 2023. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
  13. ↑ Shaahunaz, Fathmath (6 November 2018). "EC announces official electoral constituencies for parliamentary election". The Edition . Mihaaru. Archived from the original on 25 January 2019. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
  14. 1 2 3 "2024 Parliamentary Election: Pre-Election Assessment" (PDF). Transparency Maldives. 14 April 2024. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
  15. ↑ Shuba, Aishath Solih (18 April 2024). "Maldives Parliamentary Election 2024: A breakdown of the electoral scene". The Edition . Archived from the original on April 18, 2024. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
  16. ↑ "Maldives shaken by allegations of vote buying amid PNC's dominant election victory". Daily Mirror. 25 April 2024. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
  17. ↑ Naish, Ahmed (23 April 2024). "Muizzu's People's National Congress Storms to Power in Maldives". The Diplomat . Retrieved 6 May 2024.
  18. ↑ Yaameen, Mohamed (21 April 2024). "ޕީއެންސީން ރައްޔިތުންގެ މަޖިލިހުގެ ސުޕާ މެޖޯރިޓީ ހޯދައިފި" [PNC wins super-majority on the People's Majlis]. Vaguthu (in Divehi). Retrieved 21 April 2024.
  19. ↑ Mohamed, Mariyath (21 April 2024). "Parliament Elections 2024: PNC wins supermajority with 70 seats". The Edition . Retrieved 21 April 2024.
  20. ↑ "Pro-China party on course for landslide victory in Maldives election". Al Jazeera . 22 April 2024. Retrieved 22 April 2024.
  21. ↑ Ethirajan, Anbarasan (22 April 2024). "Maldives: Pro-China party led by Muizzu wins by landslide". BBC News . BBC . Retrieved 22 April 2024.
  22. ↑ Solih, Aishath Shuba (24 April 2024). "Independent members join PNC: PNC alone has acquired super majority". The Edition . Retrieved 24 April 2024.
  23. ↑ Hussain, Hanaan (25 April 2024). "Nolhivaram MP-elect Mohamed Rasheed joins PNC". The Edition . Retrieved 25 April 2024.
  24. ↑ "Pro-China party wins Maldives election in landslide". ABC News Australia . Reuters. 23 April 2024. Retrieved 23 April 2024.
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