Image copyright Reuters Image caption Mohamed Nasheed returned from exile following the election of his deputy as president

President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's party is on course to win a landslide victory in the Maldives parliamentary election, early result show.

The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) is projected to win almost 60 seats in the 87-seat parliament, local media report.

Final results are expected to be declared on Sunday.

An MDP win would solidify the comeback of the country's former president and MDP leader Mohamed Nasheed, who was in exile until late last year.

Footage posted on the party's official Twitter account shows supporters hugging each other and dancing.

"This [the result] will go a long way in consolidating democracy in the Maldives," Mr Nasheed told the BBC.

Mr Nasheed became the country's first democratically elected president in 2008.

His party campaigned on a platform of reforming the judiciary, upholding freedom of expression and democracy.

Mr Nasheed was forced into exile in 2016 following a controversial terrorism conviction during the rule of Abdulla Yameen.

He returned after his deputy Mr Solih's unexpected victory in last September's presidential election.

'A remarkable comeback'

Analysis by Anbarasan Ethirajan, South Asia Regional Editor

Hundreds of supporters of the Maldivian Democratic Party have gathered in the capital Male celebrating the victory.

Mohamed Nasheed is leading the celebrations.

It's a remarkable comeback for the former president who was forced into exile till late last year following a controversial terrorism conviction.

A clear majority will help his Maldivian Democratic Party to consolidate its hold on power and carry out political and economic reforms.

The party says it wants to reduce political influence over the judiciary and police and end corruption.

The MDP also wants to reduce the country's dependence on China and forge closer ties with its traditional ally, India.

During his rule, Mr Yameen jailed many of his political opponents and removed dissenting voices from institutions such as the Supreme Court.

Mr Yameen did not stand in the election but his Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) contested.

The election in the Indian Ocean archipelago is also seen as a battleground for regional powers China and India, which are vying for influence in the country.

When Mr Yameen was in power, China invested millions of dollars as part of its Belt and Road initiative. The MDP has promised to investigate the infrastructure projects and determine the island's true debt to China.

Mr Yameen denies any wrongdoing in relation to the Chinese financial aid.</s>Mohamed Nasheed’s Maldivian Democratic Party was heading for a two-thirds majority in the 87-member assembly AHMED SHURAU/GETTY IMAGES

The former president of the Maldives has led his party to a landslide victory in parliamentary elections five months after returning from exile.

Mohamed Nasheed’s Maldivian Democratic Party was heading for a two-thirds majority in the 87-member assembly, results showed yesterday. Turnout was about 80 per cent.

Mr Nasheed, 51, promised stability after a year of turmoil. He declared the era of “Rolex watches and Koh-i-noor are over”, referring to scandals in which MPs were allegedly bribed with jewellery. More than 200,000 Maldivians voted on Saturday, including in Sri Lanka, India and Malaysia.

At presidential elections in September Mr Nasheed’s former deputy, Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, 54, beat President Yameen, whose regime was accused of corruption and repression. Mr Yameen, 59, did not contest the parliamentary…</s>The exiled former leader of the Maldives has led his party to a landslide victory only five months after returning to the country, preliminary results showed Sunday.

Ex-president Mohamed Nasheed, 51, was set for a dramatic return to the top of the national parliament, with his Maldivian Democratic Party headed for a two-thirds majority in the 87-member assembly.

Saturday’s poll was the first test of public opinion since autocratic former president and Nasheed’s arch-rival Abdulla Yameen was forced to stand down after his five-year term, facing charges of money laundering and embezzlement.

Nasheed returned to the country after his former deputy President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih won an unexpected victory in September presidential elections for the MDP. Yameen had barred Nasheed from contesting.

Preliminary results from Saturday’s election showed the MDP winning 50 out of the 87 seats, while private media reports projected the party eventually getting up to 68 seats.

“The Maldives is about to welcome a new dawn, a golden yellow dawn,” Nasheed told his supporters in Male on Saturday. Yellow is the colour of his party.

Election officials estimated the final turnout to be between 70 and 80 percent, down from the 89 percent recorded at the September presidential election which unexpectedly toppled Yameen.

Nasheed, now set to take over the leadership of the legislature, has promised to turn the country into a parliamentary democracy by scrapping the executive presidential system adopted under political reforms in 2008.

President Solih said in a statement that the MDP had “secured a huge majority in Majlis (parliament)”.

“While we celebrate, we must also not forget the immense challenges that lie ahead of us,” he said.

Solih campaigned for the MDP asking voters to return a parliament that could work with him to deliver on his election promises in September to investigate corruption under Yameen.

While Yameen was not a candidate, his Progressive Party of Maldives was seen as the main challenger to the MDP — but ended up with a poor showing, and is projected to get only four seats.

Nasheed was jailed for 13 years on a controversial terrorism charge when Yameen was in power. However, the conviction was overturned last year after the presidency changed.

Election commissioner Ahmed Shareef told reporters there had been no complaints of irregularities in the runup to the vote, during balloting or at the count.

The Maldives was on the verge of being slapped with Western-led sanctions before Solih won the presidential election on a pledge to end corruption in the country best known for its luxury tourism.</s>The ruling party in the Maldives was celebrating Sunday a historic victory as preliminary results showed its candidates securing a landslide win in the parliamentary election.

According to the preliminary results from the Elections Commission late Saturday, the Maldivian Democratic Party won 62 out of the 87 seats in the People’s Majlis.</s>The former Maldives president on Sunday vowed sweeping reforms and an end to government corruption after leading his party to a record landslide victory just five months since returning from exile.

Mohamed Nasheed, 51, made a dramatic return to the top of the national parliament, with his Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) securing more than two-thirds in the 87-member assembly.

Nasheed promised to use his party's mandate to usher in a new era of stability and democracy in the Indian Ocean archipelago as it emerges from years of strongman rule, political crises and corruption scandals miring the government and judiciary.

"Our foremost duty is to bring peace to the government", Nasheed told supporters in the capital Male on Sunday.

Provisional results from the Elections Commission showed Nasheed's party won 68 seats with the Jamhooree Party a distant second, securing just seven.

The party of former strongman president Abudulla Yameen trailed with only four.

Nasheed's comprehensive victory was another rebuke for his arch-rival Yameen, who was dumped in a shock election defeat in September under a cloud of corruption and embezzlement allegations.

Yameen did not run, but his party -- the Progressive Party of Maldives -- finished in third. The remaining seats were collected by minor parties and independents.

Nasheed was barred from running in the presidential election but his former deputy, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, emerged triumphant over Yameen.

The former leader declared the days of "Rolex watches and Kohinoor are over", referring to high-profile scandals in the Maldives where MPs have allegedly been bought with luxury gifts, including gems.

"The parliament you have elected today possesses integrity," said Nasheed, who won a seat in the People's Majlis, or parliament representing a constituency in the capital Male.

"You desired to reform the general well-being of the nation... Hopefully we will succeed in fulfilling your wishes."

Nasheed also vowed to transform the Maldives, a popular honeymoon destination home to 340,000 Sunni Muslims, into a parliamentary democracy.

An executive presidential system was adopted under political reforms in 2008, when dictator Maumoon Abdul Gayoom stood down after 30 years in power.

Two of Gayoom's children contested this poll, but only one was successful in winning a seat.

As the results trickled in Saturday, and Nasheed's victory was clearly within grasp, the dogged political veteran declared the Maldives was heading for "a golden yellow dawn". Yellow is the colour of his party.

Election officials estimated the final turnout to be 80 percent, less than the September presidential election but a record for a parliamentary poll. The official final results are expected later.

President Solih, who has promised to investigate corruption allegations against Yameen, thanked voters for delivering "a huge majority" for the MDP.

"While we celebrate, we must also not forget the immense challenges that lie ahead of us," he said in a statement.

Election commissioner Ahmed Shareef told reporters there had been no complaints of irregularities in the run up to the vote, during balloting or at the count.

The thumping MDP victory caps a remarkable comeback for Nasheed, who until November was a fugitive in exile.

Nasheed was sentenced to 13 years prison in 2015 but left the Maldives a year later, after being granted prison leave for medical treatment in Britain.

The charges were dropped by the Supreme Court after Solih toppled Yameen, with judges saying there was no basis for the charges.

International rights groups had decried the terrorism conviction, imposed while Yameen was in power, as politically motivated and unjustified.

The Maldives was on the verge of being slapped with Western-led sanctions before Solih won the presidential election on a pledge to end corruption in the country, best known for its luxury tourism.

Nasheed has also opposed heavy borrowing from China under Yameen's administration, accusing the former strongman of mortgaging the island paradise to Beijing for infrastructure projects.</s>(UPDATED) 'Our foremost duty is to bring peace to the government,' says former Maldives president Mohamed Nasheed

MALE, Maldives (UPDATED) – The former Maldives president on Sunday, April 7 vowed sweeping reforms and an end to government corruption after leading his party to a landslide victory just five months since returning from exile.

Mohamed Nasheed, 51, made a dramatic return to the top of the national parliament, with his Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) headed for a two-thirds majority in the 87-member assembly.

Nasheed promised to use his party's mandate to usher in a new era of stability and democracy in the Indian Ocean archipelago as it emerges from years of strongman rule, political crises and corruption scandals miring the government and judiciary.

"Our foremost duty is to bring peace to the government,” Nasheed told supporters in the capital Male on Sunday.

The comprehensive victory was another rebuke for Nasheed's archrival and autocratic former president Abdulla Yameen, who was dumped in a shock election defeat in September under a cloud of corruption and embezzlement allegations.

Yameen did not run, but his party, the Progressive Party of Maldives, ended with a poor showing and is projected to only secure 4 seats in the People's Majlis, or parliament.

Nasheed was barred from running in the election but his former deputy, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, emerged triumphant over Yameen.

The former leader declared the days of "Rolex watches and Kohinoor are over,” referring to high-profile scandals in the Maldives where MPs have allegedly been bought with luxury gifts.

"The parliament you have elected today possesses integrity," said Nasheed, who won a seat in the People's Majlis, or parliament.

"You desired to reform the general well being of the nation... Hopefully we will succeed in fulfilling your wishes."

Nasheed also vowed to transform the Maldives, a popular honeymoon destination home to 340,000 Sunni Muslims, into a parliamentary democracy.

An executive presidential system was adopted under political reforms in 2008, when the dictator Maumoon Abdul Gayoom stood down after 30 years in power.

Preliminary results from Saturday's election showed the MDP winning nearly 60 out of the 87 seats. Some local media projected Nasheed's party was on track to win up to 68 seats.

Another anti-Yameen party that won seven seats, and several independent candidates, are also expected to throw their support behind the MDP government, political sources said.

As the results trickled in Saturday, and Nasheed's victory was clearly within grasp, the dogged political veteran declared the Maldives was heading for "a golden yellow dawn.” Yellow is the color of his party.

Election officials estimated the final turnout to be just under 80%, down from 89% recorded at the September presidential election. The official results could take days.

President Solih, who has promised to investigate corruption allegations against Yameen, thanked voters for delivering "a huge majority" for the MDP.

"While we celebrate, we must also not forget the immense challenges that lie ahead of us," he said in a statement.

Election commissioner Ahmed Shareef told reporters there had been no complaints of irregularities in the run up to the vote, during balloting or at the count.

The thumping MDP victory caps a remarkable comeback for Nasheed, who until November was a fugitive in exile.

Nasheed was sentenced to 13 years prison in 2015 but left the Maldives a year later, after being granted prison leave for medical treatment in the UK.

The charges were dropped by the Supreme Court after Solih toppled Yameen, with judges saying there was no basis for the charges.

International rights groups had decried the terrorism conviction, imposed while Yameen was in power, as politically motivated and unjustified.

The Maldives was on the verge of being slapped with Western-led sanctions before Solih won the presidential election on a pledge to end corruption in the country, best known for its luxury tourism.

Nasheed has also opposed heavy borrowing from China under Yameen's administration, accusing the former strongman of mortgaging the island paradise to Beijing for infrastructure projects. – Rappler.com</s>Male: The ruling Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) on Sunday celebrated a historic victory as preliminary results showed its candidates securing a landslide victory in the parliamentary polls deemed crucial for the island nation.

According to the preliminary results from the Election Commission late Saturday, the MDP won 62 out of the 87 seats in the People`s Majlis, reports Efe news.

The party secured seats from all three major cities and populous islands. It also took major seats that previously belonged to the opposition Progressive Party of Maldives.

In the previous parliamentary elections held in 2009 and 2014, the MDP was unable to secure more than 26 seats.

This is the first time in the island nation`s history that a single party has secured such a majority in parliament since the advent of multi-party democracy following the new constitution of 2008.

Saturday`s voting was held without any major complaints and the voter-turnout was at around 78 per cent. Some 264,689 people were eligible to vote.

MDP supporters staged a victory rally in the capital Male late Saturday night where President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and former leader Mohamed Nasheed addressed a jubilant crowd.

Nasheed, who also won a seat, promised to deliver on his promises.

"Our biggest job is to ensure that the government of our president continues smoothly and peacefully," he told hundreds of people.

Solih, who became President in September as the candidate of a four-party coalition, reiterated his commitment to the coalition.

"Today`s decision by the people is proof that you still stand with the decision made on September 23rd. You have decided never to go back to corruption," he said.

The newly-elected parliament will give legal authority to the presidential commissions formed to investigate corruption, abductions and murders, he said.

"Anyone with the intention to steal the people`s money cannot be a part of this government," he said, stressing the role of journalists in blowing the whistle over wrongdoings.

Vice President Faisal Naseem and Tourism Minister Ali Waheed from the coalition partner the Jumhooree Party (JP) also attended Saturday night`s celebration rally.

But JP leader Gasim Ibrahim earlier formed an alliance with the opposition for the parliamentary election and hinted at leaving the coalition government if the MDP won a majority.

Gasim has accused the MDP of reneging on a coalition agreement for the four parties to jointly contest the parliamentary polls and accused Nasheed of trying to become the prime minister.

The disagreement within the coalition resulted in the JP forming an alliance with the opposition Progressive Party of Maldives and the People`s National Congress.</s>Preliminary results give the MDP a two-thirds majority in the 87-member assembly. Election officials estimated the final turnout to be between 70 and 80 percent.

The party of the former leader of the Maldives, Mohamed Nasheed is heading for a landslide victory in this weekend's elections, just five months since his return from exile.

The autocratic former president Abdulla Yameen's Progressive Party of Maldives may only win four seats.

Election commissioner Ahmed Shareef told reporters there had been no complaints of irregularities in the runup to the vote, during balloting or at the count.

Maldivians residing in nearby India and in Sri Lanka, as well as in the UK were eligible to vote.

Nasheed had received asylum in the UK after being sentenced to 13 years in jail in 2015 on charges of terrorism which Nasheed's supporters said were trumped up.

The conviction was overturned after Maldivians voted in Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, Nasheed's former deputy, and voted out Yameen

He'd grabbed the attention of the world however in 2009 as the spokesman for the small-island countries at the COP 15 in Copenhagen, when he was head of state.

His feisty attitude forced all the bigger players to give greater importance to these particularly vulnerable countries during their negotiations.

Now Nasheed looks set to take over the leadership of the legislature. He has already promised to turn the country into a parliamentary democracy.

Nasheed's former deputy President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih won the September presidential elections for the MDP. He stood in for Nasheed whom Yameen had barred from contesting.

The Maldives had been under threat of Western-led sanctions before Solih won the presidential election with a promise to stamp out corruption.</s>In a shot in arm for India in neighbourhood, Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s Maldives Democratic Party or MDP declared a sweeping victory on Sunday in the country’s parliamentary elections.This could give him and Md Nasheed who also won a seat in Parliament a free hand in efforts to restore political freedoms and tackle corruption.Local media reports said MDP was leading in 60 of the 87 seats in parliament following Saturday’s vote.Official results were expected late on Sunday. It could be the first time a single party wins a majority in parliament since the Indian Ocean archipelago nation became a multiparty democracy in 2008.Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s party declared a sweeping victory on Sunday in the country’s parliamentary elections that could give him a free hand in efforts to restore political freedoms and tackle corruption.Local media reports said Mr. Solih’s Maldivian Democratic Party was leading in 60 of the 87 seats in parliament following Saturday’s vote.Official results were expected late on Sunday, but there was no announcement yet.It could be the first time a single party wins a majority in parliament since the Indian Ocean archipelago nation became a multiparty democracy in 2008 after decades of autocratic rule.As his party began celebrating after the vote counting started Saturday night, Mr. Solih said the people should not forget “the immense challenges that lie ahead of us.”“The work to strengthen our democratic institutions, to deliver basic services for citizens, to our promise of bringing corruption, past and present to book and ending impunity starts now,” Solih said in a statement Sunday.“I look forward to working with all of you to realise our promises to the people.”MDP needs at least 44 seats for a majority to pass legislation needed to implement pledges from last year’s presidential campaign.In last September polls Solih promised reforms, an end to political influence over the courts, police and the bureaucracy, and the recovery of money lost through corruption.</s>Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s party is leading in the vote count in the parliamentary election and has already declared a landslide victory that could give him a free hand in efforts to restore political freedoms and tackle corruption.

The official results are expected late Sunday. Local reports say Solih’s Maldivian Democratic Party is leading in 60 out of the 87 seats in Parliament.

This could be the first time that a single party has won the majority in Parliament since the Indian Ocean archipelago nation became a multiparty democracy in 2008 after decades of autocratic rule.

More than 2,64,000 people were eligible to vote for 386 candidates running for the 87 seats. Voter turnout in Saturday’s election was over 78 per cent.

Read | Maldives votes in crucial ballot to elect new parliament

Solih said the people should not forget “the immense challenges that lie ahead of us” as his party began celebrating after the counting started Saturday night.

“The work to strengthen our democratic institutions, to deliver basic services for citizens, to our promise of bringing corruption, past and present to book and ending impunity starts now,” he said in a statement Sunday. “I look forward to working with all of you to realize our promises to the people.”

Solih’s party is seeking at least 44 seats in for a majority to pass legislation needed to implement pledges from last year’s presidential campaign. His coalition currently has 52, but one partner with 22 seats is aligned with former strongman Yameen Abdul Gayoom.

Solih defeated Yameen last year, giving new hope to the young democracy that has gone through a tumultuous transition that threatened to drag the Maldives back to its autocratic past. Yameen had curtailed freedom of speech and jailed his political rivals.

Read | Will be sensitive to India’s security concerns: Maldives

Solih was only a fallback choice as president for his party because charismatic former President Mohamed Nasheed had been sentenced to prison under Yameen and was ineligible to run.

Solih promised reforms, an end to political influence over the courts, police and the bureaucracy, and the recovery of money lost through corruption.

Opposition politicians came together in a grand alliance to defeat Yameen, their common foe. But soon the coalition cracked and despite repeated efforts, Solih failed to secure parliamentary approval for promised commissions to inquire into corruption, the disappearance of a journalist and the killing of a blogger during Yameen’s rule.
Voters are called to the polls to elect the new members of the People's Majlis. Preliminary results give the victory to Maldivian Democratic Party, led by former President Mohamed Nasheed.