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India-Pakistan |
Maldives election: Abdulla Yameen wins run-off vote |
2013-11-17 |
[BBC.CO.UK] Abdulla Yameen has won the presidential election run-off vote in the Maldives, officials say. Mr Yameen secured 51.3% of the vote, compared with 48.6% for ex-President Mohammed Nasheed, the Election Commission said. Mr Nasheed had won 47% in the first round this month, just short of the 50% needed for outright victory, in an election process mired in controversy. He has accepted defeat, saying he supported the democratic process. He had been seeking to regain power after he was forced to resign in 2012. Mr Yameen, the half-brother of Maumoon Abdul Gayoom - who ruled the nation for 30 years - will be sworn in on Sunday. Mr Nasheed, of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), said: "I graciously accept defeat. We lost by a very small margin. Democracy is a process. It is up to us to make it work." He added: "The MDP has always asked for a government elected by the people. Today is a happy day for the Maldives - we now have an elected government." |
Posted by:Fred |