Yesterday, the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) held its primary elections for the upcoming local council polls. There were no scenes. No standoffs. No last minute disruptions. Polling happened in public school premises. Ballot boxes were placed, voting went ahead, and state media covered the process.
That may not sound extraordinary. But in the Maldives, it is.
For a long time, opposition political activity in the Maldives has often been met with hesitation or outright obstruction. Especially when it comes to the use of public places. Against that backdrop, this weekend’s decision to allow an opposition primary to take place in schools stand out.
It happened because the government allowed it to happen.
This was not a technicality or an oversight. It was a conscious choice to facilitate a democratic process rather than complicate it. And that choice matters.
Strong governments do not fear competition. They show confidence by allowing political processes to unfold peacefully, even when those processes involve their opponents. By permitting access to school facilities and ensuring state media coverage was not withheld, president Muizzu’s government has sent a clear message: democracy applies to everyone.
The result was something the country does not see often enough. A political exercise carried out calmly, without drama, and without turning institutions into battlegrounds. That alone is progress.
This moment also comes with responsibility. Political peace is not automatic, and it is not one sided. When a government creates space, opposition parties must respect it. Escalation, reckless rhetoric, or attempts to undermine institutions only weaken the very freedoms they benefit from.
What happened this weekend will not transform Maldivian politics overnight. But it sets a standard. If this approach continues, it could help move the country away from constant political tension and toward something more stable; a system where competition happens at the ballot box and not through confrontation.
That may not make headlines. But it is exactly how democracy is supposed to work.
