Maldives

People's Majlis

Election results

Data on parliamentary elections, including the background, candidates, voter turnout, results and the formation of the new legislature. By default the latest election results are displayed. Select a date to view results from previous elections

Background

Election date(s) The date when elections started and ended for directly or indirectly elected parliaments/chambers. The date of appointments for appointed parliaments/chambers.
06.04.2019
Date of dissolution of the outgoing legislature Date at which the previous legislature (elected at the previous elections) was dissolved.
27.05.2019
Timing of election Timing of election: Upon normal expiry; Early elections; Delayed elections
Upon normal expiry
Expected date of next elections The expected date at which the next elections should take place, based on law or practice.
21.04.2024
Number of seats at stake Number of seats contested at the elections. Where the parliament/chamber is fully renewed, this number is usually identical to the statutory number of members. Where the parliament/chamber is partially renewed or appointed, the number of seats at stake is usually less than the total number of members.
87
Scope of elections Scope of elections: Full renewal; Partial renewal.
Full renewal

Candidates

Total number of candidates Total number of people who registered as candidates for election. Does not include people who stood as candidates to become "substitute members".
360
Number of male candidates Number of male candidates
325
Number of female candidates Number of female candidates
35
Percentage of women candidates The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of women candidates by the total number of candidates.
9.72%
Number of parties contesting the election This field may include either the number of parties contesting the election, or the number of coalitions/electoral alliance.
10

Results

About the election Short description of the context and results of the election.
Former president Mohamed Nasheed’s Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) won an outright majority, securing 65 seats in the 87-member People's Majlis (see note 1). Mr. Nasheed became the first former President of Maldives to be elected to Parliament and was elected Speaker of the new legislature.

During the election campaign, the MDP promised reforms including the introduction of the country’s first income tax and a minimum wage. It also pledged to conduct an investigation into deals with China concluded under the former President Abdulla Yameen, which the MDP said could bring about a US$3 billion debt to China.

The 2019 elections were the first to be held under President Solih (MDP), elected in September 2018 (see note 2), defeating Mr. Yameen. They followed political turmoil that started in March 2017, initially triggered by a no-confidence vote against the Speaker. As a result 12 MPs lost their mandates most of whom were subsequently arrested. They were re-instated by the Supreme Court in October 2018 (see note 3).

Note 1:
The statutory number of members has increased from 85 to 87 due to population increase.

Note 2:
The four parties in the coalition that had backed Mr. Solih in the 2018 presidential elections contested separately in 2019 after the MDP decided to stand alone. The Jumhooree Party (Republican Party, JP) allied with the Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) and People's National Congress (PNC) led by former President Yameen (who did not run in the 2019 elections). They took a total of 13 seats in 2019, campaigning on a nationalist, religious platform.

Note 3:
In March 2017, several members of President Yameen’s PPM joined the opposition in view of ousting Speaker Abdulla Maseeh Mohamed (PPM). The Supreme Court declared that in keeping with the anti-defection law they had lost their seats. Although a new vote of non-confidence was scheduled in July, Parliament’s gates were padlocked by the military and MPs were prevented from entry. A total of 12 MPs lost their seats following the Supreme Court ruling and nine opposition members from the MDP and the JP were subsequently arrested.
In February 2018, the Supreme Court nullified the July 2017 ruling. The Government accused the Supreme Court of trying to oust President Yameen. The President then declared a state of emergency. Shortly afterwards, soldiers surrounded the parliament building and sealed it off. In July, the Supreme Court rescinded the ruling to reinstate the 12 MPs and announced there would have to be separate rulings on whether the MPs had lost their seats.
Presidential elections were held in September 2018 amid a standoff between the government and the opposition. Following the victory of Mr. Solih, in October, the Supreme Court stayed exiled former president Nasheed’s 13-year jail sentence on terrorism charges and reinstated the 12 MPs. Mr. Nasheed returned to the country in November after nearly three years in exile. In November, Parliament elected JP leader Qasim Ibrahim as its new Speaker and repealed the anti-defection law. In late November, the Supreme Court officially cancelled Mr. Nasheed’s charges, stating that prosecutors had provided no evidence to prove his guilt.
Number of parties winning seats The number of parties which won parliamentary representation in the given election.
5
Percentage of parties winning seats The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of parties which won parliamentary representation by the number of parties contesting the election.
50%
Percentage of seats won by largest party or coalition The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of seats won by the largest party by the number of seats at stake in the election.
74.71%
Alternation of power after elections The results of the elections caused a change in the government. "Not applicable" to countries using the presidential system when parliamentary and presidential elections are held separately, to countries in political transition or where there is no party system.
Not applicable
Note on the alternation of power
The President changed between two elections.
Number of parties in government The government may be formed by one or more political parties
1
Names of parties in government The government may be formed by one or more political parties
Maldives Democratic Party (MDP)
Parties or coalitions winning seats
Political groups winning seats breakdown
Political group Total
Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) 65
Jumhooree Party (Republican Party, JP) 5
Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) 5
People's National Congress (PNC) 3
Maldives Development Alliance (MDA) 2
Independents 7
Members elected, by sex
Number of men elected
83
Number of women elected
4
Percentage of women elected The percentage is calculated by dividing the number of women elected in the election and the number of seats at stake at the election.
4.6%
Sources
People's Majlis (21.04.2019, 02.06.2019)
Reuters
BBC
Maldives Independent
MaldivesTimes.Com
Women Directly Elected
4

New legislature

Total number of men after the election The total number of male parliamentarians in this parliament/chamber following the election or renewal, regardless of their modes of designation.
83
Total number of women after the election The total number of female parliamentarians in this parliament/chamber following the election or renewal, regardless of their modes of designation.
4
First-term parliamentarians The number of members who are assuming their parliamentary mandate for the first time following the election or renewal, regardless of their mode of designation.
54
Date of the first session The date when the newly elected parliament/chamber was convened for the first time. It may be different from the date when members were sworn in.
28.05.2019
First Speaker of the new legislature
First Speaker of the new legislature First name of the Speaker of the new legislature following the election or renewal.
Mohamed Nasheed (Male)
Political party
Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)
Date of election
28.05.2019