Maldivian opposition leader Mr. Mohamed Nasheed (Anni) has won a run-off election held yesterday to become the new president of the Maldives, after beating Asia’s longest serving leader, Mr. Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.

In the Maldives’ first democratic presidential elections, President Gayoom won the first round earlier this month, but failed to secure the minimum majority of 50% needed to become president.

According to official preliminary results announced by the Elections Commission, Mr Nasheed has won 97222 votes (54.21% of valid votes) and Mr. Gayoom has won 82121 votes (45.79% of valid votes) from 85.68% of the total voting population in the Maldives.

President Gayoom, 71, has ruled the Maldives uncontested since 1978, elected back into office six times by referendums.

Maldives has come a long way towards true democracy today, to reach multi-party elections, a new constitution and more public participation in decision making. The election yesterday was the pinnacle of numerous reforms that followed street pro-democracy protests, some amount of violence and international pressure.

It is good to see that the Maldivian people have voted for ‘change’. However what is more important now is to see if the change we voted for is indeed positive. We are bracing ourselves for the ‘Other Maldives’ to bring its people progress, peace and prosperity! Congratulations our new president!

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