According to a report by the European Union, the ruling coalition of the People's National Congress (PNC) and the Progressive Party of the Maldives (PPM) exploited anti-India sentiments and disseminated false information during the 2023 presidential elections.
The European Election Observation Mission (EU EOM) recently released its final report on the elections that were held on September 9 and 30 of last year.
The PPM-PNC coalition ran an 11-week campaign that was centered around fears of Indian influences on the nation; in particular, President Mohamed Muizzu, who usurped power from Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, is perceived as a "pro-China" leader.
The PPM-PNC coalition ran an 11-week campaign that was centered around fears of Indian influences on the nation; in particular, President Mohamed Muizzu, who usurped power from Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, is perceived as a "pro-China" leader.
The report stated that the campaign was characterized by "derogatory language" directed towards the president and anti-Indian sentiments. The coalition also raised concerns about the presence of Indian military personnel in the nation, as evidenced by the "India Out" campaign spearheaded by President Muizzu's party, which aimed to eradicate Indian military presence from the archipelago.
In addition to highlighting several attempts to disseminate false material online with an eye toward India, the EU EOM report also pointed out a deficiency in both effective oversight and openness when it comes to political and campaign financing and fundraising.
In the course of negative campaigning, the mission noted instances of political partisanship in the media, including public service media, and evidence of information manipulation on social media platforms.
In addition to highlighting several attempts to disseminate false material online with an eye toward India, the EU EOM report also pointed out a deficiency in both effective oversight and openness when it comes to political and campaign financing and fundraising.
In the course of negative campaigning, the mission noted instances of political partisanship in the media, including public service media, and evidence of information manipulation on social media platforms.
The accusations made by both political camps were centered around the presence of Indian military personnel, allegations of unfulfilled government promises, corruption, and foreign intervention. Mohamed Muizzu of the PNC, supported by the Opposition PPM-PNC coalition, defeated incumbent president Ibrahim Mohamed Solih of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) with 54 percent of the vote.
The Maldivian Elections Commission (ECM) conducted a well-run and competent presidential election, according to Chief Observer Nacho Sánchez Amor, a member of the European Parliament.
But he also called attention to the process' shortcomings, pointing out that women were both absentee and underrepresented in politics, and that vote-buying and the instrumentalization of public office were widely accepted practices that weakened campaign equity and fairness.
The Maldivian Elections Commission (ECM) conducted a well-run and competent presidential election, according to Chief Observer Nacho Sánchez Amor, a member of the European Parliament.
But he also called attention to the process' shortcomings, pointing out that women were both absentee and underrepresented in politics, and that vote-buying and the instrumentalization of public office were widely accepted practices that weakened campaign equity and fairness.
The EU EOM report offers 20 recommendations to improve future elections in the Maldives, including steps to counteract misinformation through fact-checking and to increase the number of women in leadership roles in the public and political spheres.
The report is being released against the backdrop of the ongoing diplomatic spat between the Maldives and India, which began when a few ministers from the Muizzu administration made disparaging remarks about Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The report is being released against the backdrop of the ongoing diplomatic spat between the Maldives and India, which began when a few ministers from the Muizzu administration made disparaging remarks about Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The Maldives government swiftly suspended the ministers and distanced itself from the remarks, but the controversy led to an online boycott campaign, with Indians pleading for local tourist destinations like Lakshadweep. India also summoned the Maldives High Commissioner over the matter.
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