The third parliamentary elections since the introduction of the new constitution in 2008, took place on April 6, 2019.
As citizens voted for 87 representatives to the 19th sitting of the parliament, the movement is preceded by an extensive history highlighting several milestones in Maldives’ long walk to further democracy.
Sultan Mohamed Shamsudeen Iskandar III ratified the first constitution, forming two parliaments on December 22, 1932. The establishment of the ‘Peoples Majlis’ cemented the political first steps that were taken towards members converging in the parliamentary model, hold discussions, and enact laws. Since then, a parliament, along with the occasional special parliament, has existed in Maldives.
Special parliament is mandated to preside over matters regarding constitutional amendments. It is understood that former presidents, namely Ibrahim Nasir and Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, made use of a special parliament during their respective tenures.
Moreover, the special parliament includes two members elected by each constituency. Before the new constitution was introduced in 2008, Maldives was divided into 20 administrative atolls, as well as the capital city Male’. Therefore, 42 members were elected by citizens, while eight were appointed by the president.
The newly instated constitution states that the authority to amend the constitutions is vested in the official parliament rather than to a special parliament, thereby invalidating the need to elect a new special parliament. However, such amendments can only be brought via a vote that attains a three-quarter majority of members at the time.
Prior to the new constitution being brought into effect, the powers wielded by the parliament were never before conceded to that of the administration. They were always vested the highest authority.
In 1993, this practice was brought under significant strain by Ilyas Ibrahim, brother-in-law to then-President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, concerning the selection of candidates for parliament.
Although at the time, the parliament would choose candidates via a secret vote, rumours had surfaced that many sitting parliamentary members were in support of Ilyas. The results seemingly validated these speculations; despite being exiled abroad, Ilyas received 18 votes.
No other president had faced a similar challenge with regards to the parliament up to that point, prior to the new constitution.
While only two parliamentary elections have taken place since the constitution was renewed in 2008, Maldivian Democratic Party administration lost the majority in the 2009 parliamentary elections, receiving only 26 seats.
In the parliamentary elections held in 2014, the Progressive Party of Maldives received the majority, having attained parliamentary seats from other party members in the coalition.
Traveling back to present times, for 2019 parliamentary elections closed at 1800 hours on Saturday with a total 207,360 people casting their votes from 264,589 voters eligible to elect from 386 candidates. This represents 78.4 percent of legible voters registered for the elections.
Voters gathered in groves at their designated ballot boxes. There were problematic situations that arose such as people remaining outside ballot sites even after voting, and the ballot secrecy of over 3,993 re-registered voters becoming compromised due to their being the sole voters for their constituency at their allotted ballot box. Furthermore, voting was extended beyond initial designated time on Saturday till 1800 hours.
Despite this, voting was carried out in an organized and peaceful manner.
The 2019 parliamentary elections drew to a close with governing MDP celebrating a historically significant victory. As of present, the tentative results depict a vivid picture of the party winning 68 out of the 87 constituencies: the most one-sided sweep in Maldives’ parliament history.
Notably, this parliamentary election has seen the downfall of many leaders hailing from the previous administration.
With both governing and opposition parties declaring rhetorics that continued tranquility, development, and that even the country’s ability to, “breathe easy”, depends entirely on who receives a majority in the parliament, ended with MDP attaining it in conclusive fashion.
MDP's leadership assured the public that, with the supermajority wing, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s pledges would be carried out to completion.
The massive peaceful turnout of voters and the results will assuredly be a momentous step to mould the socio-political landscape.
Whether citizens can breathe easier with the results, however, remains to be seen.
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