Opposition candidate Mohamed Muizzu led President Ibrahim
Mohamed Solih in the first round three weeks ago by 6 percentage
points. A poll last week by the local Baani Center think tank
showed the incumbent ahead with 30% and Muizzu at 24% but with
36% of voters undecided.
Thousands turned out early at over 586 polling stations across
187 islands known for their sun-kissed beaches and resorts.
Maldivians were also voting at polling stations in India, Sri
Lanka, Malaysia, Britain and Abu Dhabi.
"Everything is going on as scheduled. There are no issues yet,"
Fuwad Thowfeek, the president of the Elections Commission, told
Reuters.
Solih, seeking a second five-year term, has championed 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 fray with support from pro-China former
President Abdulla Yameen, who was banned from contesting the
election by the Supreme Court in August following a conviction
for corruption and money laundering.
(Reporting by Mohamed Junayd in Male and Uditha Jayasinghe;
Editing by William Mallard)
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