The Maldives will vote on Saturday in the second round of presidential elections that are seen as a referendum on whether this archipelago should continue to strengthen relations with India or direct its foreign policy towards China.
Outgoing President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih faces an uphill race to secure a second term after a first term that was characterized by his efforts to mend relations with India, which was a traditional ally of this archipelago, but faces competition from China.
Preferred candidate Mohammed Mwizo leads a party that called for rapprochement with China when it was in power and advocates a return to Beijing’s sphere of influence.
Mwizo won the first round this month with 46% of the votes, and Solih came in second place, with a difference of 15,000 votes.
An official who requested anonymity told AFP: “There were long queues before the polls opened.”
Advertisement – Scroll to continue
In the first two hours of the opening of electoral districts, nearly a quarter of the 282,000 eligible voters cast their ballots, according to the High Electoral Commission.
Polls close at 5 p.m. local time (12:00 GMT), and results are expected to be announced on Saturday evening or early Sunday morning.
The Maldives archipelago is strategically located in the Indian Ocean, on one of the world’s busiest shipping routes.
Advertisement – Scroll to continue
Moiso’s party advocates moving closer to China and joining the New Silk Road infrastructure plan that Beijing is promoting as part of its foreign policy.
His mentor, former President Abdulla Yameen, requested large loans from China and alienated India, the archipelago’s traditional sponsor.
Solih, 61, was elected in 2018 by exploiting discontent with Yameen’s increasingly authoritarian policies and accused him of pushing the country into a trap by accepting China as a creditor.
Advertisement – Scroll to continue
But Solih’s policy of mending relations with India is also controversial, with many in the archipelago questioning New Delhi’s political and economic influence.
aj/gle/aha/an/meb
“Unapologetic tv specialist. Hardcore zombie trailblazer. Infuriatingly humble problem solver.”