2 - Mohamed Nasheed
54.21% (97222 votes)
1 - Maumoom A Gayyoom
45.79% (82121 votes)
A FORMER political prisoner, repeatedly jailed by Maldivian president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom yesterday defeated the 30-year incumbent in a historic run-off election in the Indian Ocean tourist haven and luxury hideaway.
Opposition leader Mohamed Nasheed's victory in the first multi-party democratic polls in the archipelago with a population of around 300,000 Muslims ends the reign of Asia's longest-serving leader, whose rule was likened to that of a sultan.
President Gayoom won the first round earlier this month but failed to secure the 50 per cent needed for outright victory over Nasheed.
Citing provisional figures, election commissioner Mohamed Ibrahim said yesterday in the capital Male that Nasheed had won 54.2 per cent of the vote against 45.8 registered by Gayoom in the polls that were the culmination of extended pro-democracy protests and international pressure to introduce political reforms.
Maumoon needs 89.99 percent from the remaining 15% of vote results not announed, which is almost impossible. Congratulations His Excellency President Elect Mohamed Nasheed.
Photo by Mauroof Khaleel