New Delhi: Opposition candidate Mohamed Muizzu won the Maldives presidential poll Saturday, defeating incumbent Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. Considered close to China, Muizzu’s election to the top post may have repercussions on the island nation’s ties with India.
When Muizzu’s Progressive Party of Maldives was last in power, it oversaw heavy Chinese loans for the nation. It was also accused of cracking down on dissent.
Muizzu secured around 54 per cent votes against 46 per cent for Solih, who conceded defeat late Saturday.
“Today, the people made a strong decision to win back Maldives independence,” Muizzu told the media in capital Male.
Solih wrote on social media platform X: “Congratulations to president-elect Muizzu,”, adding “I also congratulate the people who have set a peaceful democratic example”.
Solih, who belongs to Maldivian Democratic Party, was considered India-friendly and reportedly tried to mend relations with the country during his five-year tenure.
He had come to power by ousting former president Abdulla Yameen (tenure 2013 to 2018), considered Muizzu’s mentor under whom Maldives borrowed heavily from China for construction projects.
Yameen’s alleged tilt towards China, accusations of Chinese debt trap and increasing autocratic rule helped Solih sail to power in 2018.
Amid the growing influence of China in the Indian Ocean region, Yameen’s presidency was said to have rang alarm bells for India at the time.
Yameen is currently serving an 11-year term in jail for alleged corruption in the same prison where once his political opponents were kept. However, Muizzu has reportedly assured of his release once elected.
Yameen’s supporters have termed the charges against him as politically motivated.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday congratulated Muizzu on his election.
Congratulations and greetings to @MMuizzu on being elected as President of the Maldives.
India remains committed to strengthening the time-tested India-Maldives bilateral relationship and enhancing our overall cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) October 1, 2023
(Edited by Nida Fatima Siddiqui)
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