2005 Maldivian parliamentary election

Parliamentary elections were held in the Maldives on 22 January 2005. At the time of the elections political parties were banned, so all candidates ran as independents. Supporters of President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom emerged as the largest group in the People's Majlis.

2005 Maldivian legislative election

22 January 2005
All 42 seats to the Majlis of the Maldives
Leader Non-partisans supporting DRP Non-partisans supporting MDP Non-partisans Party Independent Independent Independent Seats won 28 seats 10 seats 2 seats

Background

The elections were originally planned for 31 December 2004, but were postponed following the Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami on 25 December which severely affected the islands.[1]

Campaign

Whilst all 149 candidates ran as independents, their political affiliation were well known.[1]

Conduct

Twenty opposition supporters were arrested on election day after recording election officials attempting to close a polling station whilst there were still voters waiting to cast their vote.[1]

Results

Supporters of the Government emerged as the largest group in the People's Majlis, although the exact numbers were unclear; the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party claimed government supporters had won only 22 seats to their 18, whilst the government claimed to have 30 MPs and the MDP only eight.[1]

The International Foundation for Electoral Systems and the Minivan Daily reported that pro-Government candidates won 20 seats.[2][3]

Group	Votes	%	Seats
Supporters of the Government	71,558	32.29	20
Endorsed by the Maldivian Democratic Party	68,931	31.10	18
Independents	81,125	36.61	4
Presidential appointees	–	–	8
Invalid/blank votes	3,636	–	–
Total	225,250	100	50
Registered voters/turnout	156,267	71.29	–
Source: IFES, IPU

Aftermath

Following the elections, political parties were legalised on 2 July 2005.

References

1. Elections held in 2004 IPU
2. Election Profile IFES
3. Republic of the Maldives legislative election of 22 January 2005 Adam Carr