Maldives election heads to run-off with pro-China Muizz in lead

Vote counting is currently in progress for the Maldives presidential election, with preliminary results showing Mohamed Muizz, the pro-China mayor of the capital, taking the lead over incumbent President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih.

The election outcome holds significance in the battle for influence between India and China in this popular Indian Ocean honeymoon destination.

Muizz, aged 45, ran on a platform promising to reduce India's influence in the Maldives, including the expulsion of Indian military personnel. In contrast, President Solih, seeking a second five-year term, has strengthened ties with India through an "India-first" policy, securing over $1 billion in loans from the neighboring giant for crucial infrastructure projects.

With over 75% votes counted, Muizzu had secured over 46% of eligible votes, while Solih had obtained 39%.

To win outright, a candidate needs more than 50% of the votes. From the preliminary results, it is certain that a runoff between the top two contenders will take place on September 30.

Six other candidates also participated in Saturday's election.

Ilyas Labeeb, previously a legislator with Solih's Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and the candidate of The Democrats, secured over 6% of the vote, coming in third. The Democrats is a party founded by former President Mohamed Nasheed, who had a falling out with Solih after losing a fiercely contested presidential primary earlier this year.

A total of 282,395 people were eligible to vote in the election, with approximately 27,000 of them being first-time voters.

The Elections Commission reported that about 75% of eligible voters participated in the election, marking the lowest turnout in recent history for a Maldivian presidential election.