Maldives opposition leader Solih declares victory in presidential poll

Maldives opposition leader Solih declares victory in presidential poll

(FASTNEWS|COLOMBO) – Maldives opposition leader Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, who fought a bitter election campaign against President Abdulla Yameen, said he won Sunday’s presidential vote with a 16 percent margin after 92 percent of the votes had been counted.

Provisional results counted in 446 of 472 ballot boxes by 1943 GMT showed the opposition leading by a margin of 16.6 percent, news website Mihaaru reported.

“This is a moment of happiness, a moment of hope. This is a journey that has ended at the ballot box because the people willed it,” Solih, popularly known as Ibu, told reporters in Male.

“The message is loud and clear. The people of Maldives want change, peace and justice. I would like to call on President Yameen to accept the will of the people and begin a smooth transition of power as per the constitution,” he said.

Hundreds of people gathered outside the main opposition campaign center in Male in a jubilant mood, chanting “Ibu, Ibu, Ibu” and calling on Yameen to concede defeat.

Yameen had been expected to cement his grip on power amid criticism over the fairness of the vote on the islands best known as a luxury holiday destination.