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Votes counted in Maldives presidential election Maldives presidential election goes to second round
(about 7 hours later)
Officials in the Maldives are counting votes from the first presidential vote since an alleged coup 18 months ago. The presidential elections in the Maldives will go to a second round after frontrunner Mohamed Nasheed failed to win an outright majority.
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. Mohamed Nasheed obtained 45% but needed more than 50% to avoid a run-off against his rival, Abdulla Yameen, who got 25% of the vote.
Mr Nasheed, who needs more than 50% to avoid a run-off, had 45% compared with 25% for his nearest rival. After decades of autocratic rule, the Maldives held its first free election in 2008, which was won by Mr Nasheed.
After decades of autocratic rule, in 2008 the Maldives held its first free election, which was won by Mr Nasheed. But he was ousted as president 18 months ago in an alleged coup.
He resigned in February 2012 after security officials joined opposition-led protests over the arrest of a senior judge. Officials said the run-off was due to be held on 28 September.
Mr Nasheed's rival, Abudall Yameen, is the half-brother of the Maldives' former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom who led the country for 30 years.
'Credible and peaceful'
Mr Nasheed resigned in February 2012 when army and police personnel 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.
He was replaced last year by President Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik, who is also running in Saturday's election. He was replaced by President Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik, who had also been running in Saturday's election.
Mr Manik and has consistently rejected claims of a coup by Nasheed supporters. Mr Manik has consistently rejected claims of a coup by Nasheed supporters.
The leadership change sparked political unrest, leading to fears that the protests would have an impact on the islands' tourism industry.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.Hundreds of protesters disrupted the opening of parliament in March 2012 and called on Mr Waheed to resign.
'Confidence issues' UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said last week that 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 for voters included 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 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.
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.