The recent mayoral election in Male, Maldives, was conducted on a Saturday, where voters cast their ballots at multiple polling stations across the city. It was a day of civic duty and democratic participation for the residents of Male. In the midst of diplomatic tensions with India, Maldives President Mohamed Muizzu suffered a significant blow. 
The pro-India opposition party, the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), won a resounding victory in the mayoral election in the capital city of Male. The MDP’s candidate, Adam Azim, has been elected as the new mayor, a position previously held by Muizzu himself. Muizzu had resigned from the mayoral post to run for the presidency last year. The Maldivian media has described Azim’s win as a “landslide victory”.
Maldives Elections
With the counting of 41 boxes, Azim has taken a substantial lead with 5,303 votes. His opponent, Aishath Azima Shakoor of Muizzu’s People’s National Congress (PNC), received 3,301 votes. The election, which took place on Saturday, was characterized by a low voter turnout. Despite this, the MDP’s victory in the mayoral election is expected to rejuvenate the party’s political prospects, as it still holds a majority in the Parliament.
After his state visit to China, Muizzu returned to Male and extended his congratulations to the newly elected Mayor, Azim. He assured his cooperation with the city council and the mayor. Azim, on the other hand, expressed his heartfelt thanks to his supporters and voters, stating that his victory was a win for all the residents of Male. He also showed his gratitude towards the MDP’s leadership and campaign teams.
Adam Azim: Maldivian Democratic Party
According to the local newspaper Adhadhu, Azim has had quite a remarkable career. He began his professional journey as an internal auditor at Coopers & Lybrand. Over time, he branched out and started his own business, while also serving in various government roles.
Before his tenure as the CEO of the Maldives Transport and Contracting Company (MTCC), Azim held the position of Managing Director at two different organizations. From December 2018 to January 2020, he led the Maldives Water and Sewerage Company (MWSC). Prior to that, he was at the helm of the State Trading Organization (STO) from November 2013 to February 2015. His diverse experience undoubtedly contributes to his leadership style.
China on Maldives Election Results
China, observing the election results, responded diplomatically. Chinese President Xi Jinping congratulated the newly elected President of the Maldives, Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, and emphasized the strong ties between the two nations.
In the midst of the diplomatic tensions between India and the Maldives, China made it clear that it has never suggested the Maldives to distance itself from India. Instead, China sees the cooperation between the two countries as a positive step. Moreover, China is open to the idea of a trilateral cooperation involving China, India, and the Maldives.
It’s important to keep in mind that the political dynamics in the Maldives are influenced more by local political strategies than by external influences from Beijing or New Delhi. Despite its small size, the Maldives has a vast exclusive economic zone and is among the countries with the largest share of the ocean. Therefore, it’s in the Maldives’ best interest not to alienate either India or China.
Diplomatic Row Unfolds
The mayoral election took place against a backdrop of a diplomatic row with India, triggered by derogatory comments made by three deputy ministers of the Muizzu government against Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. During his visit to China, Muizzu aimed to strengthen the Maldives’ ties with Beijing. He suspended the three ministers following their social media posts, which led to calls for a boycott by Indian tourists.
However, Muizzu, known for his pro-China stance, made a veiled attack on India on Saturday. He stated that while his country may be small, it does not give anyone the right to bully them. He emphasized that the Maldives, despite its small size, has a vast exclusive economic zone and is one of the countries with the largest share of the ocean. He asserted that the Indian Ocean belongs to all countries situated in it, not just one, and emphasized the Maldives’ status as an independent and sovereign state.
