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
  First party Second party Third party
 
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 Government71,55832.2920
Endorsed by the Maldivian Democratic Party68,93131.1018
Independents81,12536.614
Presidential appointees8
Invalid/blank votes3,636
Total225,25010050
Registered voters/turnout156,26771.29
Source: IFES, IPU

Aftermath

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

References

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