Fuvahmulah City: A Swing Constituency at the Heart of the 2023 Maldivian Presidential Election

  • Maldives
  • Politics
PUBLISHED 30 September 2023

The 2023 Maldivian presidential election has been a roller-coaster ride, with unexpected twists and turns that have kept the country on the edge of its seat. One of the most intriguing aspects of this election has been the role of Fuvahmulah City, a constituency known for its unpredictable voting patterns.


Fuvahmulah City is a swing constituency, meaning that it can swing either way in an election. This is due to a number of factors, including its diverse population, its history of independent voting, and its strong sense of community.


In the 2023 election, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih made the strategic decision to choose Mohamed Aslam, a native of Addu City, as his running mate. This decision was seen as an attempt to secure a majority in Addu City, which has traditionally been a stronghold of the MDP (Maldivian Democratic Party). However, the decision backfired, with the opposition PNC making significant gains in Addu City.


The first-round election results revealed that PNC candidate Muizzu held a substantial lead over President Solih, and Fuvahmulah City played a pivotal role in this outcome. Fuvahmulah City, known for its unpredictable voting patterns, voted in favor of the opposition PNC candidate Muizzu.


While the government has the support of three MPs from Fuvahmulah City, the first-round results indicated significant gains for the opposition PNC. This suggests that the MDP has lost some support in Fuvahmulah City, and that the upcoming second round of the election will be crucial in determining the outcome of the election.


The eyes of the nation are now on Fuvahmulah City, as its voters hold the key to the outcome of this hotly contested presidential race.


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