Ousted Maldives prez Nasheed faces runoff election despite leading

Maldives former president Mohamed Nasheed, who was ousted from power in an alleged coup 18 months ago, had won the first round of presidential polls but failed to obtain an outright majority.

Nasheed, 46, had about 45 percent of vote, incumbent Mohamed Waheed Hassan, 60, was at six percent.

Former president Abdul Gayoom's half-brother, Abdulla Yameen, appeared to have reached a second round against Nasheed with 26 percent of the vote.

According to news.com.au, wealthy resort owner Gasim Ibrahim was a close third with 25 percent.

It is not known when official final results would be issued.

With no candidate topping 50 percent, the top two vote-getters will go to a runoff on September 28.

Nasheed of the Maldivian Democratic Party is eager to regain the post he said he was forced to give up at gunpoint in February 2012 during a period of intense political turmoil, the report added.