MALE: The Maldives presidential election held on Saturday will head to a runoff as results from the Elections Commission of the Maldives showed none of the candidates has secured more than 50% of votes in the first round to win outright.
According to figures released by the ECM, Mohamed Muizzu, candidate of the coalition of Progressive Party of Maldives and People’s National Congress, and incumbent President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih have secured the highest number of votes, winning 46.06% and 39.05% of the votes respectively, Xinhua reported.
Votes Turn Out in Election
Among 282,395 eligible voters, 225,486 voters cast their votes, with 220,651 valid votes and 4,835 invalid ones, according to the ECM.
As per the constitution of the Maldives, a candidate needs more than 50% of votes in the first round to win outright. If no candidate secures such a majority, the top two candidates will go to a runoff.
Local media reports said a runoff election will take place on 30 September if required.
