Election Date: January 22, 2005

Abstract: At stake: People's Assembly

At stake: People's Assembly

Background

(Angus Reid Global Scan) - Maldives encompasses more than a thousand tiny islands in the Indian Ocean. The British protectorate became independent in 1965, and functioned as a parliamentary republic where political parties were outlawed.

While the government has developed many areas for tourism, inhabited islands remain mostly off-limits for visitors, in an effort to preserve the traditionally Islamic communities. The country's per capita income of $2,280 U.S. is one of the highest in South Asia.

Maumoon Abdul Gayoom has been the country's president since 1978. Maldives has mostly remained stable, with the exception of an attempted coup in 1988. Gayoom has repeatedly campaigned in favour of the Kyoto Accord, as the islands face the danger of being wiped out by rising sea levels.

In 2003, the country held a presidential election that gave Gayoom a new five-year term.

Click here for Maldives 2003 Election Tracker

2005 People's Assembly Election

In June 2004, president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom allowed opposition parties to operate in the country for the first time. One month later, Gayoom convened the Special People's Assembly in order to enact a series of constitutional amendments. The proposals included a provision to hold direct presidential elections with more than one contender, establishing the post of prime minister, and ending the head of state's right to appoint eight People's Assembly members at will.

The proposals were announced after international criticism of the country's political and human rights record increased. A dispute over voting procedures led several members to walk out of the Special People's Assembly, and the reforms were not immediately enacted.

In August, the government imposed a state of emergency following violent protests in Male. The incidents led to an international backlash and a resolution from the European Union (EU) calling for an aid embargo on the nation. More than 50 activists were held by the government. According to the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), which operates from neighbouring Sri Lanka, several opposition figures were among the detained, but at least four were pardoned and freed before the election.

In 2004, Gayoom's government announced the indictment of four dissidents—including former planning minister Ibrahim Zaki—for attempting to overthrow the president. A conviction would mean a life sentence for all four accused.

People's Assembly candidates run as independents. The fact that all ballots are counted in Male—and not in the specific areas where each election took place—has led to fraud allegations in past democratic processes.

On Dec. 26, large areas of the Maldives were ravaged by the worst earthquake and tsunamis to hit Asia in four decades. The government reported 82 people had died. In 20 islands, close to 9,000 people were driven out of their homes.

On Dec. 28, the government decided to postpone the People's Assembly election—originally scheduled for Dec. 31—until Jan. 22, 2005.

In mid-January, government spokesman Ahmed Shaheed said that close to 157,000 people had registered to vote in the election. Hundreds of people affected by the tsunamis would be able to participate, after officials arranged for ballot boxes to be taken to relief centers.

More than 140 candidates were running. Shaheed believed the parliamentary ballot would allow the country to be "in a good position to agree on a multi-party system."

MDP official Mohamed Nasheed declared that 10 former People's Assembly members decided not to join the contest due to government intimidation, saying, "The people in the rural islands are made to understand that reconstruction and development can only be possible if they vote for the government's choice."

Voting took place on Dec. 22 with reports of some problems and clashes. Reformist leaders complained about intimidation and vote-buying in rural areas, and accused the government of promising aid to tsunami victims in exchange for votes. Independent candidate Ibrahim Ismail said he could only be present for the counting of one ballot box, adding, "Even which box I can check is not something I am allowed to decide."

Mousooma Ali—a government-appointed election monitor—said some names were not included in voter rolls, and requested the Election Commission "to include those names and send a new list so that people left out can vote."

At least 20 opposition supporters were arrested in Male for entering a voting booth with a video camera and creating "a lot of disruption." MDP leader Mohamed Latheef said his party's supporters were only trying to document the early closure of a polling station.

Chief election commissioner Ibrahim Rashad ordered an extra day of voting at the Hilton resort island because ballot papers were scarce and workers were unable to participate in the election.

Preliminary results were released on Jan. 23. In Male, Ismail and fellow reformist Mohamed Shihab secured seats in the Assembly, while fisheries minister Abdulla Kamaaludheen failed to earn a new term.

Gayoom declared the vote had been peaceful, saying, "It is better to have people like Ismail in parliament rather than on the streets making trouble."

On Jan. 27, the vote count was finished, but two political factions claimed contradictory outcomes. The MDP said it had secured 19 of the 42 seats at stake. Latheef declared the party's success "shows we have the popular support of the people. Based on the electoral result, Gayoom should resign."

Conversely, the government claimed to have elected 30 lawmakers, aside from the eight that are appointed by the president. Shaheed said the ballot "clearly indicates there is widespread support for the president's reform program."

On Feb. 3, the Human Rights Commission of the Maldives issued a press release, stating that the ballot was "not free, fair or without influence." The government dismissed the allegations through a communiqué, saying the "independence and objectivity" of the Commission's monitors "were not established."

On Feb. 4, the Commonwealth Expert Team praised the electoral process and called for international backing for Gayoom's reform process. The statement said the election was "well organized and enabled a large number of people to exercise their right to vote."

Final results gave 20 seats to pro-government lawmakers, 18 to MDP loyalists and four to independents.

Political Players

President: Maumoon Abdul Gayoom

The president is chosen by the Assembly and then elected to a five-year term in a popular referendum.

Legislative Branch: The Majlis (People's Assembly) has 50 members. 42 members are elected to five-year terms in one eight-seat and 19 two-seat constituencies, and eight members are appointed by the president.

Results of Last Election:

Presidential Referendum - Oct. 17, 2003

Should incumbent president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom be granted another five-year term as president?

	Vote%
Yes	90.28%
No	9.72%

People's Assembly - Jan. 22, 2005

	Vote%	Seats
Pro-Government	32.3%	20
Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)	31.1%	18
Independents	36.6%	4

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