India’s Modi congratulates Muizzu, who beat incumbent Ibrahim Solih in the second round of election
01 October 2023 - 22:28
byMohamed Junayd
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Supporter of Mohamed Muizzu, right, who won the Maldives presidential runoff vote, greets him in Male, Maldives, September 30 2023. Picture: DHAHAU NASEEM/REUTERS
Male — Opposition candidate Mohamed Muizzu has won the Maldives presidential election, beating incumbent President Ibrahim Solih in a second-round runoff that could herald a pro-China shift for the Indian Ocean archipelago, from traditional partner India.
With nearly all votes counted, the Elections Commission of the Maldives said on its website that Muizzu had received 54% of the ballots in Saturday’s vote, with 46% for Solih.
Muizzu, mayor of the capital Male, campaigned with the slogan "India out".
About 85% of 282,000 eligible voters in the Maldives, known for its pristine beaches and high-end resorts, turned up at more than 586 polling stations across 187 islands.
"I congratulate Muizzu for winning the election and thank the people for their exemplary democratic spirit," Solih said on messaging platform X, formerly known as Twitter.
Solih, who championed an "India First" policy during his time in power, will remain as president until Muizzu's inauguration on November 17.
The coalition backing Muizzu has supported Chinese loans and investment projects in the past.
Former president Abdulla Yameen, who has close links to Muizzu, is serving an 11-year prison term for corruption and money laundering. Yameen’s supporters say the charges against him were politically motivated.
"Today the people made a strong decision to win back Maldives independence," Muizzu told reporters in the capital, Male. "All of us, working together with unity, Insha Allah, we will be successful."
Muizzu also called on Solih to release Yameen to house arrest.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi sent a congratulatory message to Muizzu following the announcement of his victory.
"India remains committed to strengthening the time-tested India-Maldives bilateral relationship and enhancing our overall cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region," Modi said on X.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Maldives election: pro-China candidate Mohamed Muizzu wins run-off
India’s Modi congratulates Muizzu, who beat incumbent Ibrahim Solih in the second round of election
Male — Opposition candidate Mohamed Muizzu has won the Maldives presidential election, beating incumbent President Ibrahim Solih in a second-round runoff that could herald a pro-China shift for the Indian Ocean archipelago, from traditional partner India.
With nearly all votes counted, the Elections Commission of the Maldives said on its website that Muizzu had received 54% of the ballots in Saturday’s vote, with 46% for Solih.
Muizzu, mayor of the capital Male, campaigned with the slogan "India out".
About 85% of 282,000 eligible voters in the Maldives, known for its pristine beaches and high-end resorts, turned up at more than 586 polling stations across 187 islands.
"I congratulate Muizzu for winning the election and thank the people for their exemplary democratic spirit," Solih said on messaging platform X, formerly known as Twitter.
Solih, who championed an "India First" policy during his time in power, will remain as president until Muizzu's inauguration on November 17.
The coalition backing Muizzu has supported Chinese loans and investment projects in the past.
Former president Abdulla Yameen, who has close links to Muizzu, is serving an 11-year prison term for corruption and money laundering. Yameen’s supporters say the charges against him were politically motivated.
"Today the people made a strong decision to win back Maldives independence," Muizzu told reporters in the capital, Male. "All of us, working together with unity, Insha Allah, we will be successful."
Muizzu also called on Solih to release Yameen to house arrest.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi sent a congratulatory message to Muizzu following the announcement of his victory.
"India remains committed to strengthening the time-tested India-Maldives bilateral relationship and enhancing our overall cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region," Modi said on X.
Reuters
Will Maldives’ vote be better for India or China?
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Most Read
Related Articles
Will Maldives’ vote be better for India or China?
SA’s access to Agoa helps neighbouring countries, says Patel
CHARL ALBERTYN: The R17bn case for Chinese and Indian visa-free access to SA
Guterres warns climate summit of ‘naked greed’ of fossil fuel interests
Published by Arena Holdings and distributed with the Financial Mail on the last Thursday of every month except December and January.