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Maldives holds presidential elections Votes counted in Maldives presidential election
(about 17 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. Officials in the Maldives are counting votes from the first presidential vote since an alleged coup 18 months ago.
Former President Mohamed Nasheed is contesting Saturday's poll and says he is "fairly confident" he will win. State media reported that Mohamed Nasheed, who was ousted as president last February, was in the lead after half of the votes had been counted.
His successor President Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik is also running and has consistently rejected the coup claim. Mr Nasheed, who needs more than 50% to avoid a run-off, had 45% compared with 25% for his nearest rival.
The Maldives held its first free elections in 2008, following decades of autocratic rule. After decades of autocratic rule, in 2008 the Maldives held its first free election, which was won by Mr Nasheed.
Mr Nasheed, a pro-democracy campaigner, became the country's first democratically elected president in that poll. 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. He was replaced last year by President Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik, who is also running in Saturday's election.
The leadership change sparked political unrest, leading to fears that the protests would impact on the islands' tourism industry. Mr Manik and has consistently rejected claims of a coup by Nasheed supporters.
Hundreds of protesters disrupted the opening of parliament in March 2012 and called on President Waheed to resign. The leadership change sparked political unrest, leading to fears that the protests would have an impact on the islands' tourism industry.
Hundreds of protesters disrupted the opening of parliament in March 2012 and called on Mr 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". UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon 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.