MDP congratulates Muizzu, vows to act responsibly as opposition

The main ruling MDP, which lost its bid to get re-elected for a second term in office on Saturday, has congratulated the election’s victor, the opposition PPM-PNC’s candidate Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.

Preliminary results of the election runoff place Muizzu ahead of incumbent president Ibrahim Mohamed Solih by a lead of over 15,000 votes.

In a post on X on Saturday night, MDP’s chairperson Fayyaz Ismail congratulated Muizzu and his running mate, Faresmaathodaa MP Hussain Mohamed Latheef (Sembe), on behalf the party.

He said: “as the opposition, MDP will continue to responsibly hold the government accountable, and ensure the protection of democratic principles in the Maldives.”

The message came an hour after President Solih conceded defeat and congratulated Muizzu.

In his message, President Solih thanked the Maldivian people “for the exemplary show of democratic principles in the election.”

He also thanked MDP and its coalition partner Adhaalath Party, and his supporters.

Preliminary results of the election show Muizzu won 54 percent of the votes, while President Solih won 46 percent.