Maldives Presidential Election Heads to Runoff Amidst India-China Power Struggle
The Maldives presidential election is heading towards a runoff between the top two candidates after none of the eight contestants secured more than 50 percent of the vote for an outright win, according to local media reports. The election has become a virtual referendum over which regional power, India or China, will have the largest influence in the Indian Ocean archipelago state.
The main opposition candidate, Mohamed Muiz, secured a surprise lead with over 46 percent of the votes, while the incumbent President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih secured 39 percent. The official results are expected to be announced by the elections commission on Sunday morning, and if confirmed, the second round will take place later this month.
The election saw Solih, perceived as pro-India, facing off against his main rival Muiz, who is seen as pro-China. Muiz has promised to remove Indian troops stationed in the Maldives and balance the country’s trade relations, which he claims are heavily in India’s favor. His party, the People’s National Congress, is known for its pro-China stance.
China’s influence in the Maldives has grown significantly in recent years, particularly during the presidency of Abdullah Yameen, who made the Maldives a part of China’s Belt and Road initiative. The initiative aims to expand trade and China’s influence across Asia, Africa, and Europe through the construction of ports, railways, and roads.
Both India and China are vying for influence in the Maldives, a strategically located nation consisting of 1,200 coral islands. India has expressed concerns about China’s increasing presence in the region, while China sees the Maldives as an important part of its broader geopolitical ambitions.
Solih, who is seeking a second term, has been accused by Muiz of allowing India to have an unchecked presence in the country. However, Solih has been credited with bringing stability to the Maldives and effectively handling the COVID-19 pandemic, which was expected to work in his favor.
The election has also highlighted divisions within Solih’s Maldivian Democratic Party, with former president Mohamed Nasheed breaking away and fielding his own candidate, Ilyas Labeeb. Nasheed’s candidate secured 7 percent of the vote and accused Solih of lacking transparency in his dealings with India.
The issue of Indian influence in the Maldives has gained significant attention during the election campaign, with social media campaigns like India Out becoming prominent. However, it’s worth noting that some candidates, including Solih, have not adopted the India vs. the rest rhetoric.
Apart from the India-China power struggle, the election outcome may also impact the social landscape of the Maldives. Both sides are backed by religious hardliners, which could potentially lead to a more socially conservative environment with greater control over women and restrictions on music, art, and religious freedom.
Ultimately, the runoff election will determine the future direction of the Maldives and whether India or China will exert greater influence in this strategically important region. With the results of the first round already indicating a close race between the pro-India and pro-China candidates, the second round is poised to be a crucial showdown.
