PPM/PNC Secures Dominant Victory in 20th Parliament Elections

In a resounding victory, the ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) and the People’s National Congress (PNC) alliance has clinched the 20th Parliament elections, positioning themselves on the brink of a super majority. Provisional results indicate a commanding lead for the coalition, with PNC candidates securing 71 seats.

The threshold for a super majority stands at 70 seats out of the 93-member parliament, granting the coalition the authority to enact constitutional amendments. With the Maldives National Party (MNP) and the Maldives Development Alliance (MDA) clinching one seat each, the ruling coalition has amassed 73 seats, with the PPM/PNC alliance emerging as the frontrunner.

A notable shift from the previous parliament, the PNC has clinched significant victories in key constituencies, including Male’, Addu, Fuvahmulah, Lhaviyani Atoll and Kulhudhufushi. Meanwhile, the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), which secured 65 seats in the previous election, has faced a stark decline in support, securing only 12 seats in the current polls. Several seasoned MDP members have also faced defeat in this election cycle.

Furthermore, breakaway factions such as the Democrats, led by former President Mohammed Nasheed, failed to secure any seats, signaling a fragmentation within the opposition. Additionally, the MDP coalition party, Adhalath Party, faced a similar outcome with no victories in the polls.

The outcome of the 20th Parliament elections underscores a significant political landscape shift, consolidating power within the ruling coalition while highlighting a challenging road ahead for the opposition.