Former Ministers and MPs Lose Parliamentary Seats in Parliamentary Elections

Several former cabinet Ministers from the previous administration, alongside numerous long-standing parliamentarians, faced defeat in the parliamentary elections.

Among those who lost their bids for parliamentary seats are Aishath Nahula, Ibrahim Ameer, Ali Waheed, Abdulla Ameen, and Imran Abdulla.

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Aishath Nahula, who previously served as the transport minister from 2018 to 2023, contested for the South Hulhumale’ seat under the Jumhoory Party (JP). Preliminary results indicate that Nahula secured nine percent of the votes, with her opponent from the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), Ahmed Shamheed, leading with 46 percent of the votes.

Ibrahim Ameer, former finance minister from 2018 to 2023, ran for the Thulusdhoo seat under the MDP banner. He secured 28.16 percent of the votes, placing second to the People’s National Congress (PNC) candidate Ibrahim Naseem, who obtained 55.96 percent of the votes.

Ali Waheed, who served as tourism minister from 2018 to 2020, competed for the South Kulhudhuffushi seat representing the MDP. Despite securing 43.8 percent of the votes, he was surpassed by the PNC candidate Faruhath Mohamed, who won with 51.32 percent of the votes.

Abdulla Ameen, the former health minister from 2018 to 2020, ran for the Ungoofaaru seat. Ameen, who resigned amid corruption allegations, received only 2.58 percent of the votes, with the PNC candidate Ibrahim Shifan securing 47.5 percent of the votes.

Imran Abdulla, who served as home minister from 2018 to 2023, contested for the Makunudhoo seat as the leader of Adhaalath Party (AP). He received 32 percent of the votes, while the PNC candidate Adam Shafeeg secured 48 percent of the votes.

In addition to former ministers and MPs, several long-serving parliamentarians also failed to retain their seats in the elections. Notable among them are incumbent Speaker Mohamed Aslam and former deputy speaker Eva Abdulla.

Moreover, the children of former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, Faris Maumoon and Dunya Maumoon, faced defeat in their respective constituencies.

Preliminary results indicate significant gains for the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC), with Mohamed Sinan leading in Addu City and Mumthazim Adnan securing victory in Kaashidhoo.

Furthermore, Abdulla Jabir, the incumbent Kaashidhoo MP, also lost re-election. Despite his previous affiliation with the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), Jabir ran independently after the party rescinded its ticket due to disciplinary misconduct cases. Preliminary results show Jabir trailing with 44 votes, while the PNC’s candidate, Mumthazim Adnan, emerged as the clear winner with 411 votes.

The elections mark a significant shift in the political landscape, with the PNC securing a super-majority in the parliament.