Voting begins in Maldives Presidential Run-off Saturday Nov 16,2013

Voting in the runoff presidential polls began at 7.30 am across the Maldives and abroad. 

The Maldives on Saturday Nov 16,2013 began voting in the second round of the controversy-ridden presidential election as ousted leader Mohamed Nasheed faces a run-off against his closest rival, with the poll being held under global pressure to elect a new leader and end months of political turmoil. 

After an annulled result and two cancelled polls, foreign diplomats increasingly viewed delays as politically motivated and the European Union warned of “appropriate measures” if the present election fails. 

Early voters queued up outside polling stations across the island-nation as it staged the second round of the much delayed election in a bid to choose a new president amidst a constitutional crisis. 

Facing heightened international pressure, President Mohamed Waheed had stepped down on the eve of the polls and left the country on Friday Nov 15,2013 

Mohamed Waheed, who took office when the first democratically elected President Nasheed resigned under duress in February 2012, had been under pressure from India and western powers to step down after his tenure ended on November 10,2013


Presidential Candidates are -

Mohamed Nasheed - Madivian Democratic Party

Abdullah Yameen -Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM)

Gasim Ibrahim -Jumhooree Party

Note
Mohammed Nasheed, won the country's first-ever democratic vote in 2008, ousting Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, who ran the country autocratically for three decades.

Mohamed Nasheed was forced from office in February 2012 in what he has described as a coup. Mohamed Waheed, who succeeded him, claims Mohamed Nasheed resigned of his own accord in the face of opposition demonstrations

In a vote on Sep 07,2013 Mohamed Nasheed led with 45% of the vote, while Abdullah Yameen and
Gasim Ibrahim trailed with 25% and 24% respectively.

That vote was annulled by the Supreme Court after Gasim Ibrahim alleged irregularities, despite observer groups deeming the vote free and fair

On Oct 19,2013 the planned re-run of vote is stopped by police

On Nov 06,2013 Candidates agree to sign voter lists and take part in elections

 Abdulla Yaameen Wins 2013 Maldives Presidential Run-off Saturday Nov 16,2013

Abdulla Yaameen, half-brother of former Maldivian President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom — who ruled the country for about three decades — won the run-off round of election narrowly, by polling about three per cent votes higher than his rival, Maldivian Democratic Party’s Mohamed Nasheed.

The voter turnout for the run-off was 91.41% with 218,621 people voting

Elections Commissioner Fuad Thowfeek announced that -
Abdulla Yaameen(Progressive Party of Maldives - PPM)received111,203 votes -51.39% of Votes and  

 

Mohamed Nasheed(Maldivian Democratic Party) received 105,181 votes  -48.61% of Votes

 
Note
A run off was necessitated because no candidate won the 50 % plus one vote required for an outright win

First Round Voting -Results
Mohamed Nasheed -polled 46.93% of votes
Abdulla Yaameen -polled  29.72% of votes and
Qasim Ibrahim - polled   23.34% of votes