2024 Maldivian parliamentary election

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]

2024 Maldivian parliamentary election
Maldives
← 2019 21 April 2024 2029 →

All 93 seats in the People's Majlis
47 seats needed for a majority
Party Leader Vote % Seats +/–
PNC Mohamed Muizzu 47.48 66 +63
MDP Abdulla Shahid 30.74 12 −53
MDA Ahmed Siyam Mohamed 1.91 2 0
JP Qasim Ibrahim 1.47 1 −4
MNP Mohamed Nazim 0.50 1 New
Independents 14.52 11 +4
This lists parties that won seats. See the complete results below.
Speaker before Speaker after
Mohamed Aslam
MDP
Abdul Raheem Abdulla
PNC

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

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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

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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, 98 constituencies are being contested by a total of 368 candidates, while around 284,000 people are eligible to vote.[1]

Constituencies

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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. Code Constituency Total Voters
1 A01 Hoarafushi Constituency 3,540
2 A02 Ihavandhoo Constituency 3,457
3 A03 Baarashu Constituency 3,483
4 A04 Dhidhoo Constituency 3,078
5 A05 Kelaa Constituency 3,188
6 B01 Hanimaadhoo Constituency 3,128
7 B02 Nolhivaram Constituency 3,316
8 B03 Vaikaradhoo Constituency 2,813
9 B04 Kulhudhuffushi Uthuru Constituency 3,559
10 B05 Kulhudhuffushi Dhekunu Constituency 3,514
11 B06 Makunudhoo Constituency 3,457
12 C01 Kanditheemu Constituency 3,510
13 C02 Milandhoo Constituency 3,085
14 C03 Komandoo Constituency 3,412
15 C04 Funadhoo Constituency 3,400
16 D01 Kendhikulhudhoo Constituency 3,267
17 D02 Manadhoo Constituency 3,139
18 D03 Velidhoo Constituency 3,030
19 D04 Holhudhoo Constituency 3,063
20 E01 Alifushi Constituency 3,635
21 E02 Ungoofaaru Constituency 3,313
22 E03 Dhuvaafaru Constituency 3,479
23 E04 Inguraidhoo Constituency 3,574
24 E05 Maduvvari Constituency 3,368
25 F01 Thulhaadhoo Constituency 3,426
26 F02 Eydhafushi Constituency 2,527
27 F03 Kendhoo Constituency 2,591
28 F04 Hithaadhoo Constituency 2,401
29 G01 Hinnavaru Constituency 3,808
30 G02 Naifaru Constituency 4,094
31 G03 Kurendhoo Constituency 2,089
32 H01 Kaashidhoo Constituency 2,853
33 H02 Thulusdhoo Constituency 2,074
34 H03 Maafushi Constituency 2,825
35 H04 Huraa Constituency 2,345
36 I01 Maamigili Constituency 2,878
37 I02 Mahibadhoo Constituency 2,685
38 I03 Dhangethi Constituency 2,538
39 J01 Felidhoo Constituency 1,039
40 J02 Keyodhoo Constituency 915
41 K01 Dhiggaru Constituency 2,698
42 K02 Mulaku Constituency 2,795
43 L01 Bileydhoo Constituency 2,459
44 L02 Nilandhoo Constituency 1,950
45 M01 Meedhoo Constituency 2,697
46 M02 Kudahuvadhoo Constituency 3,155
47 N01 Vilufushi Constituency 2,905
48 N02 Thimarafushi Constituency 2,874
49 N03 Kinbidhoo Constituency 3,268
50 N04 Guraidhoo Constituency 2,707
51 O01 Isdhoo Constituency 3,305
52 O02 Gamu Constituency 3,869
53 O03 Fonadhoo Constituency 3,064
54 O04 Maavashu Constituency 3,038
55 P01 Vilingili Constituency 2,742
56 P02 Dhaandhoo Constituency 2,623
57 P03 Gemanafushi Constituency 2,967
58 P04 Kolamaafushi Constituency 2,358
59 Q01 Thinadhoo Uthuru Constituency 2,954
60 Q02 Thinadhoo Dhekunu Constituency 2,679
61 Q03 Madaveli Constituency 3,141
62 Q04 Faresmaathodaa Constituency 3,494
63 Q05 Gadhdhoo Constituency 3,455
64 R01 Fuvahmulaku Uthuru Constituency 3,648
65 R02 Fuvahmulaku Medhu Constituency 3,070
66 R03 Fuvahmulaku Dhekunu Constituency 2,843
67 S01 Hulhudhoo Constituency 2,843
68 S02 Feydhoo Dhekunu Constituency 2,706
69 S03 Maradhoo Constituency 2,754
70 S04 Hithadhoo Uthuru Constituency 4,028
71 S05 Hithadhoo Medhu Constituency 4,280
72 S06 Hithadhoo Dhekunu Constituency 4,071
73 S07 Addu Meedhoo Constituency 2,287
74 S08 Feydhoo Uthuru Constituency 2,989
75 T01 Hulhumaale Dhekunu Constituency 3,193
76 T02 Medhu henveyru Constituency 3,010
77 T03 Henveyru Dhekunu Constituency 2,675
78 T04 Henveyru Uthuru Constituency 2,402
79 T05 Galolhu Uthuru Constituency 3,914
80 T06 Galolhu Dhekunu Constituency 4,033
81 T07 Machangoalhi Uthuru Constituency 2,842
82 T08 Mahchangoalhee Dhekunu Constituency 2,691
83 T09 Maafannu Uthuru Constituency 3,878
84 T10 Maafannu Hulhangu Constituency 3,555
85 T11 Maafannu Medhu Constituency 3,697
86 T12 Maafannu Dhekunu Constituency 2,884
87 T13 Vilimalé Constituency 3,227
88 T14 Henveyru Hulhangu Constituency 2,806
89 T15 Mahchangoalhi Medhu Constituency 2,820
90 T16 Hulhumalé Medhu Constituency 4,230
91 T17 Hulhumalé Uthuru Constituency 3,220
92 U01 Mathiveri Constituency 2,950
93 U02 Thoddoo Constituency 3,024
Total Voters: 284,663

Campaign

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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

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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

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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
Independents130
People's National Congress90
Maldivian Democratic Party89
The Democrats39
Jumhooree Party10
Adhaalath Party4
Maldives Development Alliance4
Maldives National Party2
Total368
Source: The Edition

Results

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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]

 
PartyVotes%Seats+/–
People's National Congress101,12847.4866+63
Maldivian Democratic Party65,47630.7412–53
The Democrats4,6342.180New
Maldives Development Alliance4,0711.9120
Jumhooree Party3,1411.471–4
Adhaalath Party2,5381.1900
Maldives National Party1,0600.501New
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

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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

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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]

References

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  1. ^ a b 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. ^ a b c "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.