Pro-China camp Mohamed Muizzu wins Maldives election defeating pro-India rival

Pro-China-backed candidate Mohamed Muizzu, 45, has won the presidential election in the Maldives after a second-round run-off against incumbent Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

Muizzu led a party that welcomed an influx of Chinese loans.

Incumbent Ibrahim Mohamed Solih conceded defeat shortly before midnight after the Elections Commission of the Maldives said Muizzu had won 54.06 percent of the vote in the run-off contest.

Solih, 61, wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, “Congratulations to president-elect Muizzu. Thank you for the beautiful democratic example shown by the people in the elections.” He will remain as caretaker president until his successor’s inauguration on Nov 17.