2024 Maldivian parliamentary election
This article documents a current election. Information may change rapidly as the election progresses until official results have been published. Initial news reports may be unreliable, and the last updates to this article may not reflect the most current information. |
This article needs to be updated.(April 2024) |
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All 93 seats in the People's Majlis 47 seats needed for a majority | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Parliamentary elections were held in the Maldives on 21 April 2024,[1] previously scheduled on 17 March 2024.[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]
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.[6]
The election results were seen as a victory for Muizzu’s plan to press ahead with closer economic cooperation with China, and rebuking the pro-India MDP, which had sought to disrupt efforts to realign Maldivian diplomacy.[7][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, 98 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
SL No. | Code | Constituency | Total Voters |
---|---|---|---|
1 | A01 | Hoarafushi Constituency | 3540 |
2 | A02 | Ihavandhoo Constituency | 3457 |
3 | A03 | Baarashu Constituency | 3483 |
4 | A04 | Dhidhoo Constituency | 3078 |
5 | A05 | Kelaa Constituency | 3188 |
6 | B01 | Hanimaadhoo Constituency | 3128 |
7 | B02 | Nolhivaram Constituency | 3316 |
8 | B03 | Vaikaradhoo Constituency | 2813 |
9 | B04 | Kulhudhuffushi Uthuru Constituency | 3559 |
10 | B05 | Kulhudhuffushi Dhekunu Constituency | 3514 |
11 | B06 | Makunudhoo Constituency | 3457 |
12 | C01 | Kanditheemu Constituency | 3510 |
13 | C02 | Milandhoo Constituency | 3085 |
14 | C03 | Komandoo Constituency | 3412 |
15 | C04 | Funadhoo Constituency | 3400 |
16 | D01 | Kendhikulhudhoo Constituency | 3267 |
17 | D02 | Manadhoo Constituency | 3139 |
18 | D03 | Velidhoo Constituency | 3030 |
19 | D04 | Holhudhoo Constituency | 3063 |
20 | E01 | Alifushi Constituency | 3635 |
21 | E02 | Ungoofaaru Constituency | 3313 |
22 | E03 | Dhuvaafaru Constituency | 3479 |
23 | E04 | Inguraidhoo Constituency | 3574 |
24 | E05 | Maduvvari Constituency | 3368 |
25 | F01 | Thulhaadhoo Constituency | 3426 |
26 | F02 | Eydhafushi Constituency | 2527 |
27 | F03 | Kendhoo Constituency | 2591 |
28 | F04 | Hithaadhoo Constituency | 2401 |
29 | G01 | Hinnavaru Constituency | 3808 |
30 | G02 | Naifaru Constituency | 4094 |
31 | G03 | Kurendhoo Constituency | 2089 |
32 | H01 | Kaashidhoo Constituency | 2853 |
33 | H02 | Thulusdhoo Constituency | 2074 |
34 | H03 | Maafushi Constituency | 2825 |
35 | H04 | Huraa Constituency | 2345 |
36 | I01 | Maamigili Constituency | 2878 |
37 | I02 | Mahibadhoo Constituency | 2685 |
38 | I03 | Dhangethi Constituency | 2538 |
39 | J01 | Felidhoo Constituency | 1039 |
40 | J02 | Keyodhoo Constituency | 915 |
41 | K01 | Dhiggaru Constituency | 2698 |
42 | K02 | Mulaku Constituency | 2795 |
43 | L01 | Bileydhoo Constituency | 2459 |
44 | L02 | Nilandhoo Constituency | 1950 |
45 | M01 | Meedhoo Constituency | 2697 |
46 | M02 | Kudahuvadhoo Constituency | 3155 |
47 | N01 | Vilufushi Constituency | 2905 |
48 | N02 | Thimarafushi Constituency | 2874 |
49 | N03 | Kinbidhoo Constituency | 3268 |
50 | N04 | Guraidhoo Constituency | 2707 |
51 | O01 | Isdhoo Constituency | 3305 |
52 | O02 | Gamu Constituency | 3869 |
53 | O03 | Fonadhoo Constituency | 3064 |
54 | O04 | Maavashu Constituency | 3038 |
55 | P01 | Vilingili Constituency | 2742 |
56 | P02 | Dhaandhoo Constituency | 2623 |
57 | P03 | Gemanafushi Constituency | 2967 |
58 | P04 | Kolamaafushi Constituency | 2358 |
59 | Q01 | Thinadhoo Uthuru Constituency | 2954 |
60 | Q02 | Thinadhoo Dhekunu Constituency | 2679 |
61 | Q03 | Madaveli Constituency | 3141 |
62 | Q04 | Faresmaathodaa Constituency | 3494 |
63 | Q05 | Gadhdhoo Constituency | 3455 |
64 | R01 | Fuvahmulaku Uthuru Constituency | 3648 |
65 | R02 | Fuvahmulaku Medhu Constituency | 3070 |
66 | R03 | Fuvahmulaku Dhekunu Constituency | 2843 |
67 | S01 | Hulhudhoo Constituency | 2843 |
68 | S02 | Feydhoo Dhekunu Constituency | 2706 |
69 | S03 | Maradhoo Constituency | 2754 |
70 | S04 | Hithadhoo Uthuru Constituency | 4028 |
71 | S05 | Hithadhoo Medhu Constituency | 4280 |
72 | S06 | Hithadhoo Dhekunu Constituency | 4071 |
73 | S07 | Addu Meedhoo Constituency | 2287 |
74 | S08 | Feydhoo Uthuru Constituency | 2989 |
75 | T01 | Hulhumaale Dhekunu Constituency | 3193 |
76 | T02 | Medhu henveyru Constituency | 3010 |
77 | T03 | Henveyru Dhekunu Constituency | 2675 |
78 | T04 | Henveyru Uthuru Constituency | 2402 |
79 | T05 | Galolhu Uthuru Constituency | 3914 |
80 | T06 | Galolhu Dhekunu Constituency | 4033 |
81 | T07 | Machangoalhi Uthuru Constituency | 2842 |
82 | T08 | Mahchangoalhee Dhekunu Constituency | 2691 |
83 | T09 | Maafannu Uthuru Constituency | 3878 |
84 | T10 | Maafannu Hulhangu Constituency | 3555 |
85 | T11 | Maafannu Medhu Constituency | 3697 |
86 | T12 | Maafannu Dhekunu Constituency | 2884 |
87 | T13 | Vilimalé Constituency | 3227 |
88 | T14 | Henveyru Hulhangu Constituency | 2806 |
89 | T15 | Mahchangoalhi Medhu Constituency | 2820 |
90 | T16 | Hulhumalé Medhu Constituency | 4230 |
91 | T17 | Hulhumalé Uthuru Constituency | 3220 |
92 | U01 | Mathiveri Constituency | 2950 |
93 | U02 | Thoddoo Constituency | 3024 |
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
With President Mohamed Muizzu assuming his role as executive during the presidential elections held in 2023, the country’s politics has been dominated by his affiliated coalition, People's National Congress (PNC), which formed an alliance with the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM).[15]
For this election, the PPM-PNC coalition 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.
Party | 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 | |
Total | 368 | |
Source: The Edition |
Results
Initial results suggested that the ruling party, the People's National Congress was on course to win at least 70 seats.[16][17]
83.72% reporting | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Party | Votes | % | Seats | +/– | |
People's National Congress | 68 | +65 | |||
Maldivian Democratic Party | 10 | –55 | |||
Maldives Development Alliance | 2 | 0 | |||
Jumhooree Party | 1 | –4 | |||
Maldives National Party | 1 | New | |||
Adhaalath Party | 0 | 0 | |||
The Democrats | 0 | New | |||
Independents | 11 | +4 | |||
Total | 93 | +6 | |||
Valid votes | 145,417 | 98.32 | |||
Invalid/blank votes | 2,485 | 1.68 | |||
Total votes | 147,902 | 100.00 | |||
Registered voters/turnout | 284,663 | 51.96 | |||
Source: Sun (votes), PSM News (seats) |
References
- ^ a b "Voting begins for Maldives Parliament, watched by India and China vying for control of Indian Ocean". Associated Press. 21 April 2024. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
- ^ Udhma, Fathimath (10 January 2024). "2024 Parliamentary Election slated for 17 March, 7 Ramadan". RaajjeMV. Retrieved 10 January 2024.
- ^ Mohamed, Mariyath (29 February 2024). "BREAKING: President ratifies election postponement bill". The Edition. Retrieved 29 February 2024.
- ^ "Parliament passes election postponement bill for second time". Sun. 28 February 2024. Retrieved 28 February 2024.
- ^ Mohamed, Mariyath (15 March 2024). "Exams preponed to avoid coinciding with Parliamentary elections". The Edition. Retrieved 25 March 2024.
- ^ "Maldives votes in parliamentary elections seen as test for president's tilt towards China". France 24. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
- ^ "Landslide win for pro-China leader's party in Maldives election". South China Morning Post. 2024-04-21. Retrieved 2024-04-21.
- ^ https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/maldives-votes-election-key-its-india-china-relations-2024-04-21/.
{{cite web}}
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(help) - ^ "Maldives (People's Majilis) - Electoral System". Inter-Parliamentary Union. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
- ^ Mohamed, Mariyath (10 January 2024). "Parliamentary elections to be held on March 17". The Edition. Retrieved 23 February 2024.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Six New Constituencies Added to Parliament, Totaling 93 Seats". MV+. 29 September 2023. Retrieved 20 April 2024.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b c "2024 Parliamentary Election: Pre-Election Assessment" (PDF). Transparency Maldives. 14 April 2024. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
- ^ a b 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.
- ^ Yaameen, Mohamed (21 April 2024). "ޕީއެންސީން ރައްޔިތުންގެ މަޖިލިހުގެ ސުޕާ މެޖޯރިޓީ ހޯދައިފި" [Breaking News: People's National Congress Wins super-majority on the People's Majlis]. Vaguthu. Retrieved 21 April 2024.
- ^ Mohamed, Mariyath (21 April 2024). "Parliament Elections 2024: PNC wins supermajority with 70 seats". The Edition. Retrieved 21 April 2024.