Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) members are gathering in capital City Male’ on Saturday night, to celebrate their overwhelming win in the parliamentary election.

The main ruling party had contested all but one of the 87 seats in Saturday’s election, and interim results show that their candidates have won over 60 seats.

This includes MDP leader and former President Mohamed Nasheed, who won in the newly formed Central Mahchangolhi constituency. The party also won all seats in the city.

MDP candidates had also secured all seats in Addu and Fuvahmulah cities.

During their campaigns, senior MDP members including Nasheed and incumbent President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih had urged voters to elect their candidates because the party needed parliament majority in order to fulfill the government’s pledges.

After the new government came to power late last year, some crucial government bills had been at a standstill in parliament due to lack of support. This includes the bill to empower the presidential enquiry commissions tasked with investigating major cases of graft, murders, and disappearances.