Outgoing Maldives president expresses concern over election process

Outgoing Maldivian President Mohamed Waheed has expressed concern about serious allegations regarding the first round of polls, while calling for 'peace and harmony' before the final voting.

Waheed said it is very important to resolve the issues by respective constitutional mechanisms and ascertain justice, Pakistan's Daily Times reports.

He suffered a humiliating defeat after receiving just 5.13 percent of the votes in the first round on September 7, while ex-leader Mohamed Nasheed took the top spot with 45.45 percent.

Nasheed, however, has fallen short of the majority mark and now faces a tricky run-off against his nearest rival Abdullah Yameen, who garnered 25.35 percent.

The independent Elections Commission said the first round passed off without violence as there had been no major complaints of fraud or rigging.

Waheed also said that he was planning to support 54-year-old Yameen, half-brother of former strongman president Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, in the September 28 voting.

Waheed became the country's president in February 2012 after Nasheed, the country's first elected president, stepped down in the wake of a coup backed by the military.

Nasheed also accused Waheed of involvement in a conspiracy with former dictator Gayoom to topple his government.