Politicians, public servants, and prominent members of local society have congratulated Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, the parliamentarian who won the Maldives' presidential elections on Sunday.
Shortly after polling ended on Sunday evening and results were made clear, applause began to pour in on social media and on the streets of capital city Malé.
Former President Mohamed Nasheed, who tapped Solih for candidacy through his Maldivian Democratic Party, was among the first to congratulate him and his vice president.
Congratulations to President Elect @ibusolih. You have done an extremely good service to not only to the people of Maldives, but also to freedom loving people everywhere. Democracy is a historical inevitability.
— Mohamed Nasheed (@MohamedNasheed) September 23, 2018
Nasheed's own successor followed suit.
I’m please to congratulate Hon. Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and Hon. Faisal Naseem together with the leaders of the Joint Opposition for the clear victory in the Presidential Elections 2018.
— Mohamed Waheed (@DrWaheedH) September 24, 2018
Parliamentarians have also congratulated president elect Solih.
Congratulations President Elect Hon. Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.
— Abdulla Shahid (@abdulla_shahid) September 23, 2018
With your election, hope & optimism returns to Maldives. I am confident that you will usher in an era of democracy, human rights & good governance. May Allah grant you wisdom, strength & compassion in the coming years. pic.twitter.com/hcR62tFAF4
President- elect, Hon. Ibrahim M. Solih. pic.twitter.com/OawQfI26DM
— Eva Abdulla (@evattey) September 23, 2018
Congratulations President-elect HE Ibrahim Mohamed Solih n Hon. Faisal NASEEM. pic.twitter.com/Uon8WiaOkm
— Mohamed Musthafa (@Thimarafushi) September 24, 2018
President Abdulla Yameen's running mate, former Islamic Minister Mohamed Shaheem expressed his belief that Solih bring about 'positive changes' to the Maldives.
Inthikhaabee raees ibraahim Mohamed salih ah varah hoonu maruhabaa eh dhannavan. Ibu ge leadership ga raajje ah heyo badhalu thakeh annaane kamah yageen kuran.Qaumu hingumugai ibu ah eheetherive ebbaivanatha vumah lobuvethi dhivehi rayyithunge arihun edhen.Kuriyyah dhivehi qaumu
— محمد شهيم علي سعيد (@Mohamedshaheem1) September 24, 2018
"Warm congratulations to president elect Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. I am sure that his leadership will bring about positive changes to the Maldives. I ask all citizens to support Solih in running this country. Forward, Maldives", the tweet says.
While the government has thus far maintained silence, Fisheries Minister Mohamed Shainee has also congratulated Solih.
Its a new day, beginning of a new chapter to me and this Nation. This is politics. May Allah s.w.t bless this country, forgive our wrong doings, give strength to our leaders to resist the temptation to disbelieve, keep this Nation independent forever.
— Mohamed Shainee (@mshainee) September 24, 2018
According to the Elections Commission's interim results, Solih garnered 134,616 votes while President Yameen garnered 96,132.
