Election outcome in Suriname sees relatively poor performance for Maya Parbhoe, the Bitcoin entrepreneur
In the recent Suriname parliamentary elections, Maya Parbhoe, a prominent figure within the Bitcoin community, failed to secure a breakthrough, despite her popularity among Bitcoin enthusiasts.
Parbhoe, who is a member of the National Party of Suriname (NPS), aimed to modernize Suriname's constitution, financial systems, and make the country immune to corruption using Bitcoin. However, her limited broader political appeal and insufficient support beyond the niche Bitcoin community seemed to have hampered her chances.
Despite her popularity, Parbhoe and her party fell short of expectations, with around 200 votes and finishing fourth, only managing to secure six seats in parliament. This means that Parbhoe cannot secure a seat in parliament, a disappointing outcome for the Bitcoin advocate.
The election results indicate that Bitcoin currently plays a minor role on Suriname's large political stage. However, the growth of the Bitcoin community in Suriname is sustainable and driven by a grassroots base. The Surinamese Bitcoin community 'Bitcoin Sranan' sponsors two local football teams, and more businesses are accepting Bitcoin as a payment method. Local projects focused on circular economy and educational initiatives by 'Bitcoin Sranan' are also contributing to the growth of the Bitcoin community.
Parbhoe attributed her party's poor performance to disadvantages in the campaign, such as her absence due to complications during her pregnancy and limited financial resources compared to other parties. She also expressed optimism about securing a parliamentary seat with more than 5,380 votes and her party NPS having more than 20 seats in parliament.
Despite the criticism directed towards Parbhoe on social media, accusing her of distorting her chances due to her minor political role and that of her Bitcoin agenda, Parbhoe received support from the international Bitcoin community and had over 5,000 volunteers to support her campaign. Interestingly, Parbhoe received more understanding and support from her own party, the NPS, than from many others in the global Bitcoin community.
The NPS is part of the new government coalition led by the NDP, despite the disappointing election results. Parbhoe's party will continue to advance political work in the areas of capital markets, Bitcoin, constitutional reform, and sovereignty as part of the new government, even without a parliamentary seat for Parbhoe herself.
Parbhoe had hoped for more support from the international Bitcoin community due to making Bitcoin a campaign issue. However, the low voter turnout was also detrimental to her and her party in the election. Despite the disappointing election results, Parbhoe remains optimistic about the future of Bitcoin in Suriname, stating that the Bitcoin community can make progress even without a 'Bitcoin President'.
In a previous election, Parbhoe ran for president in Suriname's 2025 elections, advocating for Bitcoin as an official means of payment and comprehensive reforms. Despite the recent setback, it is clear that Parbhoe's influence within the Bitcoin community and her commitment to Bitcoin-focused reforms are likely to continue shaping the future of Bitcoin in Suriname.
