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| Maldives holds presidential elections | |
| (about 4 hours later) | |
| The Maldives is holding its first presidential elections since its former leader stepped down in what he described as a coup last year. | |
| Former President Mohamed Nasheed is contesting Saturday's poll and says he is "fairly confident" he will win. | Former President Mohamed Nasheed is contesting Saturday's poll and says he is "fairly confident" he will win. |
| His successor President Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik is also running and has consistently rejected the coup claim. | His successor President Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik is also running and has consistently rejected the coup claim. |
| The Maldives held its first free elections in 2008, following decades of autocratic rule. | The Maldives held its first free elections in 2008, following decades of autocratic rule. |
| Mr Nasheed, a pro-democracy campaigner, became the country's first democratically elected president in that poll. | Mr Nasheed, a pro-democracy campaigner, became the country's first democratically elected president in that poll. |
| However, he resigned in February 2012 after security officials joined opposition-led protests over the arrest of a senior judge. | However, he resigned in February 2012 after security officials joined opposition-led protests over the arrest of a senior judge. |
| The judge, Abdulla Mohamed, was detained in January 2012 after ordering the release of an opposition politician. | The judge, Abdulla Mohamed, was detained in January 2012 after ordering the release of an opposition politician. |
| Mr Nasheed said he was stepping down to prevent "bloodshed", but later said he was forced to resign at gunpoint by police and army officers. | Mr Nasheed said he was stepping down to prevent "bloodshed", but later said he was forced to resign at gunpoint by police and army officers. |
| Mr Waheed, who was vice-president at the time, replaced him. | Mr Waheed, who was vice-president at the time, replaced him. |
| The leadership change sparked political unrest, leading to fears that the protests would impact on the islands' tourism industry. | The leadership change sparked political unrest, leading to fears that the protests would impact on the islands' tourism industry. |
| Hundreds of protesters disrupted the opening of parliament in March 2012 and called on President Waheed to resign. | Hundreds of protesters disrupted the opening of parliament in March 2012 and called on President Waheed to resign. |
| 'Confidence issues' | 'Confidence issues' |
| Ban Ki-moon, secretary general of the UN, said he hoped the elections would be "credible and peaceful". | Ban Ki-moon, secretary general of the UN, said he hoped the elections would be "credible and peaceful". |
| Key issues in this election include religion, nationalism, education and the economy. | Key issues in this election include religion, nationalism, education and the economy. |
| Thoriq Hamed, a representative of poll monitoring group Transparency Maldives, said that the campaigning so far had been conducted "smoothly and peacefully". | Thoriq Hamed, a representative of poll monitoring group Transparency Maldives, said that the campaigning so far had been conducted "smoothly and peacefully". |
| However, there was still "some apprehension and confidence issues about the security forces", he said. | However, there was still "some apprehension and confidence issues about the security forces", he said. |
| If none of the candidates wins more than 50% of the votes, a run-off will be held on 28 September. | If none of the candidates wins more than 50% of the votes, a run-off will be held on 28 September. |
| Gasim Ibrahim, a high-profile businessman, and Abdulla Yameen, half-brother of former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, are also contesting the presidency. | Gasim Ibrahim, a high-profile businessman, and Abdulla Yameen, half-brother of former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, are also contesting the presidency. |
| Mr Gayoom was president of the Maldives for 30 years until 2008. | Mr Gayoom was president of the Maldives for 30 years until 2008. |