Nasheed fails to get majority in first round of Maldives poll

In a repeat of the balloting in September, former President Mohammed Nasheed today failed to clinch an outright majority in the first round of the presidential re-vote in the Maldives, setting up a run-off with runner-up Abdulla Yameen.
In the crucial vote, Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) chief Nasheed bagged 46.3 per cent of the votes, a marginal increase from his previous tally of 45.45 per cent votes in the September 7 polls that were annulled by the Supreme Court.
All but two of the 475 ballot boxes had been counted till late tonight, Haveeru reported.
Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) leader Abdullah Yameen made a significant gain of nearly five per cent over the 25.35 per cent of votes he secured in the annulled polls and managed 30.3 per cent of the votes today.

Jumhooree Party (JP) leader and resort tycoon Gasim Ibrahim bagged 23.4 per cent of the votes as second runner up.
Nearly 2.03 lakh people or 85 per cent of the electorate exercised their franchise, as against the turnout of 88 per cent cast during the voting in September.
There was no clarity on the date for the run-off as Elections Commission President Fuwad Thaufeek told the media that two political parties - PPM and JP - were yet to endorse the voters' list for the second round, making it difficult to hold it tomorrow.
Meanwhile, Supreme Court today settled speculation about an impending constitutional crisis as it ruled that incumbent President Mohammed Waheed will continue in office till his successor takes oath, media reported.