Presidential elections are scheduled to be held in the Maldives on Saturday, 9 September 2023. Incumbent president Ibrahim Mohamed Solih will be seeking re-election, after defeating Speaker of the People's Majlis Mohamed Nasheed in the Maldivian Democratic Party primaries. Former president Abdulla Yameen of the Progressive Party of Maldives had announced his candidacy for president, but due to his sentencing he is ineligible to appear on the ballot. For this reason, Mohamed Muizzu of the PNC is running on his behalf, vowing to free him. 

In 2018 Yameen was sentenced to 11 years in prison due to his connection to the Maldives Marketing and Public Relations Corporation scandal, and the Supreme Court has barred him from running. Dr. Mohamed Muizzu of the People's National Congress has announced his 'Backup' candidacy for president. Former Minister of Defence and National Security, Mohamed Nazim of the Maldives National Party has announced his candidacy for president. Jumhooree Party have announced that they will put forth candidates as well. Ilyas Labeeb of newly formed The Democrats has nominated himself as a candidate for president. Independents Ahmed Faris Maumoon, son of Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, Umar Naseer and Hassan Zameel have also announced their candidacies for president. This Presidential Election has the most recorded candidates since 2008 Maldivian Presidential Election, where 6 candidates where participated.

Electoral system
The Maldives has a presidential system of government where the president is both the head of state and government. The president is elected via direct-vote every five years and can only be elected for a maximum of two terms, which is the limit allowed by the constitution.

In the elections, the candidate who receives a majority (or more than 50%) of the valid votes cast is elected president. If no candidate receives an outright majority, the election then proceeds to a runoff (or second round), which are mandated to be held no less than 21 days following the initial election day between the two front runners. The candidate who receives the majority of the vote is then elected president.

The law and constitution of the Maldives grants its citizens the right to vote and run for public office at the age of 18.

The official results are announced by the Elections Commission and published in the government gazette within seven days of the voting day of the presidential elections.

Candidates

Confirmed

Maldivian Democratic Party
The Maldivian Democratic Party held primary elections to choose its presidential candidate on 28 January 2023. Nasheed accused Solih of trying to rig the presidential primary. The Chairperson of Maldivian Democratic Party, Fayyaz Ismail, defended the primaries, reiterating that they will be held in accordance with the party constitution.

 Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, incumbent president and leader of Maldivian Democratic Party.
 Mohamed Nasheed, incumbent speaker of the People's Majlis, former Maldivian president, former president of Maldivian Democratic Party and leader of Democrats.

Progressive Party of Maldives–People's National Congress 
Nominated by Progressive Party of Maldives and People's National Congress.

 Abdulla Yameen, former president and leader of Progressive Party of Maldives.

But since the Maldivian Criminal court sentenced former president Abdulla Yameen to 11 years in prison, it would be a high chance that Elections Commission will disqualify Yameen in this year's presidential elections.

Nominated by People's National Congress's 'Backup' candidacy.

 Dr. Mohamed Muizzu, Mayor of Malé and former Minister of Housing and Infrastructure.

PNC's president Abdul Raheem said that he will withdraw the candidacy if the Maldivian Supreme Court allows Yameen to compete in the upcoming elections and the supreme court has decided to disqualify Yameen in this year's presidential elections.

The Democrats 
Nominated by The Democrats, a newly formed political party from the rapidly unfolding power struggle between two pivotal figures in the Maldivian Democratic Party — incumbent president Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and former president Mohamed Nasheed.

 Ilyas Labeeb, Hulhudhoo 19th Parliament Member (MP) of the People's Majlis.

Jumhooree Party 
Finalised by Jumhooree Party's council meeting.

 Qasim Ibrahim, former Speaker of the People's Majlis and leader of Jumhooree Party.

Maldives National Party 
Nominated by Maldives National Party.

 Mohamed Nazim, former Minister of Defence and National Security and leader of Maldives National Party.

Ahmed Faris Maumoon (Independent Candidate) 
Nominated by himself as an Independent Candidate.

 Ahmed Faris Maumoon, MP for Dhiggaru MP constituency and the son of former president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.

Umar Naseer (Independent Candidate) 
Nominated himself as an independent candidate.

 Umar Naseer, former Minister of Home Affairs.

Hassan Zameel (Independent Candidate) 
Nominated himself as an independent candidate.

 Hassan Zameel, former Deputy Minister of Defense.

References

Presidential
Maldives
Presidential elections in the Maldives