Pro-China candidate Mohamed Muizzu wins Maldives presidential vote

The Maldives’ presidential election was won by opposition candidate Mohamed Muizzu, who defeated incumbent President Ibrahim Solih in a second-round runoff, ushering in a pro-China tilt for the Indian Ocean archipelago from traditional partner India.

With nearly all votes collected, the Maldives Elections Commission said on its website that Muizzu earned 54 per cent of the votes cast in Saturday’s election, while Solih received 46 per cent.

The Maldives, noted for its stunning beaches and high-end resorts, saw almost 85 per cent of its 282,000 eligible voters turn up at more than 586 voting locations spread across 187 islands.

“I congratulate Muizzu for winning the election and thank the people for their exemplary democratic spirit,” Solih said on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Solih, who championed an “India First” policy during his time in power, will remain as president until Muizzu’s inauguration on Nov. 17.

The coalition backing Muizzu has supported Chinese loans and investment projects in the past.

Former President Abdulla Yameen, who has close links to Muizzu, is serving an 11-year prison term for corruption and money laundering. Yameen’s supporters say the charges against him were politically motivated.

“Today the people made a strong decision to win back Maldives independence,” Muizzu told reporters in the capital, Male.

“All of us, working together with unity, Insha Allah, we will be successful.”

Muizzu also called on President Solih to release Yameen to house arrest.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi sent a congratulatory message to Muizzu following the announcement of his victory.

“India remains committed to strengthening the time-tested India-Maldives bilateral relationship and enhancing our overall cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region,” Modi said on X.