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Maldives presidential election goes to second round | Maldives presidential election goes to second round |
(about 14 hours later) | |
The presidential elections in the Maldives will go to a second round after frontrunner Mohamed Nasheed failed to win an outright majority. | The presidential elections in the Maldives will go to a second round after frontrunner Mohamed Nasheed failed to win an outright majority. |
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. | 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. |
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, the Maldives held its first free election in 2008, which was won by Mr Nasheed. |
But he was ousted as president 18 months ago in an alleged coup. | But he was ousted as president 18 months ago in an alleged coup. |
Officials said the run-off was due to be held on 28 September. | Officials said the run-off was due to be held on 28 September. |
Mr Nasheed's rival, Abdulla Yameen, is the half-brother of the Maldives' former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom who led the country for 30 years. | |
'Credible and peaceful' | '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. | 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 by President Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik, who had also been running in Saturday's election but polled only 5% of the vote. | He was replaced by President Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik, who had also been running in Saturday's election but polled only 5% of the vote. |
Mr Waheed has consistently rejected claims of a coup by Nasheed supporters. | Mr Waheed 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. |
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 last week that he hoped the elections would be "credible and peaceful". |
Key issues for voters included religion, nationalism, education and the economy. | Key issues for voters included religion, nationalism, education and the economy. |
Thoriq Hamid, a representative of poll monitoring group Transparency Maldives, said that the campaigning had been conducted "smoothly and peacefully". | Thoriq Hamid, a representative of poll monitoring group Transparency Maldives, said that the campaigning 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. |