Male: In a significant electoral victory, the People’s National Congress (PNC), led by Maldivian President Mohamed Muizzu, has achieved an overwhelming majority by winning 70 out of 93 seats in the parliamentary elections. The preliminary results, announced on Monday, solidify the PNC’s position as the ruling party and underscore Muizzu’s pro-China foreign policy stance. Here are the key details:
- Election Outcome:
- The PNC secured 70 seats in the 20th People’s Majlis Parliament during the elections held on Sunday.
- Its coalition partners, the Maldives National Party (MNP) and the Maldives Development Alliance (MDA), won one and two seats, respectively.
- Constitutional Amendment Power:
- With this victory, the PNC now holds the power to amend the Constitution due to its two-thirds majority in Parliament.
- Opposition MDP’s Decline:
- The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), led by former President Ibrahim Solih, held 65 seats in the previous Parliament but managed to win only 15 seats this time.
- Solih, considered a pro-India leader, faced a significant setback in this election.
- Muizzu’s Pro-China Stance:
- President Muizzu, aged 45, is known for his pro-China leanings.
- He has expressed his intention to reduce India’s influence in the Maldives.
- The PNC’s landslide victory is seen as a strong endorsement of his foreign policy approach.
- Importance of the Election:
- Gender Representation:
- Out of the 368 candidates, only three women have secured seats in the current results.
- International Voting Locations:
- Ballot boxes were placed for voting in cities such as Thiruvananthapuram (India), Colombo (Sri Lanka), and Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia).
The formal ratification of the election results is expected to take place later this week. The PNC’s victory marks a significant shift in the country’s political landscape, with implications for regional dynamics and foreign relations.
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