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.
“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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