EC hails most professional election ever; no intimidation, threats

This is the most free and fair election ever held by the Elections Commission (EC) and there was no fear or intimidation during the elections, the EC said on Wednesday evening.

The final results of the second round of the presidential election held on Saturday were announced at a press conference held at the polling station in Dharubaaruge on Wednesday evening.

Commission Vice-President Ismail Habeeb said the election was "free and fair, without any intimidation, threats or violence".

"This is the most perfect election we have ever held in accordance with the Constitution. I congratulate all Maldivians on that," Habeeb said.

He said that in some previous elections, the defeatedpeople have made various allegations to the commission. This time, he said, there was a perfect example of democracy seen.

While a total of 246,915 people voted in the first and second rounds of the presidential election, there were no major clashes near the polling stations and the ballot box was attacked in only one island. However, that was also done by a young man who had little political connection and went to vote alone.

The Election Commission has also praised President Ibrahim Mohammed Solih's example of accepting the election results.

According to Habeeb:

The final results of the second round of the presidential election were announced on Wednesday evening: