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| Maldives holds fresh election for president | Maldives holds fresh election for president |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Voters in the Maldives have been going to the polls to elect a president after two previous attempts failed. | Voters in the Maldives have been going to the polls to elect a president after two previous attempts failed. |
| Candidates came to a last-minute agreement earlier this week to agree and sign the voter lists required for the election to take place. | Candidates came to a last-minute agreement earlier this week to agree and sign the voter lists required for the election to take place. |
| But turnout was lower than expected, amid disappointment about political rows throughout the election process. | |
| In 2012, ex-President Mohamed Nasheed was forced from office, sparking a political crisis. | |
| He is seeking to regain power at these elections. | |
| Tensions are high after one vote was annulled and a re-run halted by police. | Tensions are high after one vote was annulled and a re-run halted by police. |
| Polls closed at 10:30 GMT. | Polls closed at 10:30 GMT. |
| Supporters of Mr Nasheed's opposition Maldivian Democratic Party allege the government and judiciary are attempting to influence the electoral process, fearing he will return to power. | Supporters of Mr Nasheed's opposition Maldivian Democratic Party allege the government and judiciary are attempting to influence the electoral process, fearing he will return to power. |
| Court decision | Court decision |
| Mr Nasheed won the Indian Ocean archipelago's first-ever democratic vote in 2008, ousting Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, who ran the country autocratically for three decades. | Mr Nasheed won the Indian Ocean archipelago's first-ever democratic vote in 2008, ousting Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, who ran the country autocratically for three decades. |
| His main rival at the ballot box is Mr Gayoom's half-brother, Abdullah Yameen. The other major contender is Gasim Ibrahim, a wealthy resort owner and a former minister under Mr Gayoom. | His main rival at the ballot box is Mr Gayoom's half-brother, Abdullah Yameen. The other major contender is Gasim Ibrahim, a wealthy resort owner and a former minister under Mr Gayoom. |
| If no candidate gets more than 50% of the vote then a second vote is scheduled to take place on Sunday. | If no candidate gets more than 50% of the vote then a second vote is scheduled to take place on Sunday. |
| But the elections commissioner said Mr Nasheed's two rivals had so far not approved the voter register for any run-off, which would be necessary for the vote to go ahead. | |
| In a vote on 7 September, Mr Nasheed led with 45% of the vote, while Mr Yameen and Mr Gasim trailed with 25% and 24% respectively. | In a vote on 7 September, Mr Nasheed led with 45% of the vote, while Mr Yameen and Mr Gasim trailed with 25% and 24% respectively. |
| President Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik got 5% and later bowed out. | President Mohamed Waheed Hassan Manik got 5% and later bowed out. |
| That vote was annulled by the Supreme Court after Mr Gasim alleged irregularities, despite observer groups deeming the vote free and fair. The court also introduced new guidelines for elections. | That vote was annulled by the Supreme Court after Mr Gasim alleged irregularities, despite observer groups deeming the vote free and fair. The court also introduced new guidelines for elections. |
| Police halted the planned re-run on 19 October saying the guidelines had not been met, after both Mr Gasim and Mr Yameen failed to approve the registry of voters. | Police halted the planned re-run on 19 October saying the guidelines had not been met, after both Mr Gasim and Mr Yameen failed to approve the registry of voters. |
| According to the Maldives constitution, a new president has to be in place by 11 November when the current presidential term ends. | According to the Maldives constitution, a new president has to be in place by 11 November when the current presidential term ends. |
| Mr Nasheed was forced from office in February 2012 in what he has described as a coup. Mr Waheed, who succeeded him, claims Mr Nasheed resigned of his own accord in the face of opposition demonstrations. | Mr Nasheed was forced from office in February 2012 in what he has described as a coup. Mr Waheed, who succeeded him, claims Mr Nasheed resigned of his own accord in the face of opposition demonstrations. |