The presidential run-off in the Maldives shows pro-India and pro-China numbers

Arief Budi

Global Courant

MAN – Voters lined up at hundreds of polling stations in the Maldives on Saturday for the Indian Ocean archipelago’s second presidential election, pitting the incumbent India-leaning leader against a strong pro-China candidate.

Opposition candidate Mohamed Muizzu led President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih in the first round by 6 percentage points three weeks ago. A poll last week by local Baani Center think tank showed the incumbent party ahead with 30% and Muizzu with 24%, but 36% of voters were undecided.

Thousands turned out early to more than 586 polling stations on 187 islands known for their sun-drenched beaches and resorts. Maldivians also voted at polling stations in India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Britain and Abu Dhabi.

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“Everything is going as planned. There are no problems yet,” Fuwad Thowfeek, the chairman of the election commission, told Reuters.

Solih, who is seeking a second five-year term, favors an ‘India first’ policy. The coalition backing Muizzu has launched an “India out” campaign, promising to remove a small Indian military presence of several surveillance aircraft and some 75 personnel.

Muizzu entered the contest with the support of pro-China former President Abdulla Yameen, who was barred from running in the election by the Supreme Court in August after a conviction for corruption and money laundering. REUTERS

The presidential run-off in the Maldives shows pro-India and pro-China numbers

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