Maldives votes today, why Muizzu's toughest test important for India?

About 2,85,000 people will be able to vote in Maldives on Sunday and the results are likely to come by the next day.

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The Maldives is set to go for parliamentary election on Sunday. The election emerges as a criticial test for President Mohamed Muizzu, whose adminstration has shown a marked shift in foreign policy preferences towards China, moving away from the traditionally closer ties with India. 

Elections on 93 seats

About 2,85,000 people will be able to vote in Maldives on Sunday and the results are likely to come by the next day. Elections are to be held on a total of 93 seats. Currently, the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party dominates the People's Majlis (Parliament) with 41 seats. Due to lack of majority in Parliament, it is becoming difficult for Muizzu to make any law.

Difficult in getting majority

With divisions among all the main political parties, including Muizzu's People's National Congress (PNC), it is not easy for any one party to gain majority. However, Muizzu's prospects got a boost when his mentor Yameen was released from house arrest this week. A court in the capital Male has ordered a retrial in the corruption and money laundering cases in which Yameen was sent to jail after losing the re-election in 2018.

Why Maldives election is important for India? 

It is very important for India. Actually, Mohammad Muizzu became President by defeating Ibrahim Solih in September 2023. After assuming office, the anti-India Muizzu, breaking the years-long tradition, chose China instead of India for his first visit. Not only this, in the last elections he ran his entire campaign in the name of 'India Out'. After becoming President, he decided to expel Indian troops from Maldives. He also increased his closeness to China. If Muizzu wins, relations between India and Maldives will once again deteriorate.

India wants MDP to win

India hopes that the main opposition and pro-India party – the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) – will win the majority. If this happens then that party will be able to exercise effective legislative monitoring of the executive power. Under the Maldives Constitution, all decisions of Parliament and bills proposed by the Government must be passed by parliamentary majority.