Election Commissioner of India visits Maldives to observe Presidential Elections 2023

Source: The post is based on the article “Election Commissioner of India visits Maldives to observe Presidential Elections 2023”  published in PIB on 12th September 2023

What is the News?

Election Commissioner of India is leading a three-member delegation to Maldives to observe the conduct of the Presidential Election, 2023. 

How is the Presidential Election conducted in Maldives?

Under the Election Laws of Maldives, the President is elected for a five-year term directly by the people by universal and secret suffrage.  

The voting system for election of the President is a direct election through a majority vote with the first-past-the-post method. 

The winning candidate has to secure a minimum of 50 % of total votes polled in one or multiple rounds.

How has been the India-Maldives relations in recent times?

Maldives has been a strong partner of India over the last few years.As India has been actively pursuing Neighborhood first policy, Maldives has been following an India-first approach.

India has proactively played the role of a first responder for Maldives during several crises including the 1988 coup, 2004 Tsunami and 2014 water crisis. 

The relations between the two countries have been taken to a new high over the last few years with India helping Maldives through several developmental projects. 

Apart from this, India has been involved in 47 High Impact Community Development Projects (HICDP) of which 7 have been completed and inaugurated. 

It is also noteworthy that the Indian Prime Minister had attended the inauguration ceremony of Maldives President Solih in 2018.However, the Maldives opposition under Abdulla Yameen’s guidance has been vocal with their India Out Campaign.