With Indian and Chinese anticipation the start of voting to elect the Parliament of the Maldives

Voters in the Maldives cast their votes on Sunday in the parliamentary elections in a decisive vote for President Mohamed Moisu, whose policies are closely watched by India and China as they compete for influence in the region.

Both countries are seeking to gain a foothold in the Maldives, which enjoys a strategic location in the Indian Ocean.

The election of Moizo as president last year intensified the rivalry between India and China, as the new leader took a pro-China stance and worked to remove Indian forces stationed on one of the small islands in the country.

Obtaining a majority in Parliament will be difficult for Moiso because some of his allies have fallen out, while more parties have entered the electoral race.

Six political parties and independent groups presented 368 candidates for 93 seats in Parliament. This means an increase of six seats over the previous parliament after amendments commensurate with population growth.

About 284,000 people are entitled to vote, and preliminary results are expected to be announced late Sunday.

Moiso put the slogan “India Out” at the heart of his election campaign, accusing his predecessor of compromising national sovereignty by giving India too much influence.

At least 75 Indian military personnel were stationed in the Maldives and their known activities were operating two aircraft donated by India and helping to rescue people stranded or facing disasters at sea, but Moiso took steps to have civilians undertake those activities.

Relations were further strained when Indian activists on social media began a boycott of tourism in the Maldives to raise the idea of ​​promoting tourism in Lakshadweep, a chain of Indian islands similar to the Maldives, in response to three deputy ministers from the Maldives making insulting remarks about Indian Prime Minister Narendra. Modi.

According to recent Maldives government statistics, the number of Indian tourists has decreased, causing the country to decline from being the first source of foreign visitors to sixth place.

Moiso visited China earlier this year and negotiated an increase in the number of tourists and flights from China.

In 2013, the Maldives joined China's Belt and Road Initiative, which aims to build ports and highways to expand trade across Asia, Africa and Europe.