Mohamed Muizzu, Maldives presidential candidate of the opposition party, People's National Congress gestures after casting his vote at a polling station during the Maldives presidential election day in Male, Maldives September 9, 2023.
REUTERS/Dhahau Naseem/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsMALE, Sept 30 (Reuters) - Opposition candidate Mohamed Muizzu is projected to win the Maldives presidential run-off vote on Saturday, beating incumbent Ibrahim Solih, local media said, in a result that could see the Indian Ocean archipelago shift closer to China.
Muizzu was leading the count with 54% of the vote against 46% won by Solih, local media reported.
Thousands turned out early at 586 polling stations across the 187 islands known for their sun-kissed beaches and resorts.
Maldivians also voted at polling stations in India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Britain and Abu Dhabi.
Persons:
Mohamed Muizzu, Dhahau Naseem, Ibrahim Solih, Muizzu, Maldivians, Abdulla Yameen, Muizzu's, Yameen, Mohamed Junayd, Gursimran Kaur, Andrew Cawthorne, David Holmes
Organizations:
People's, REUTERS, Maldives presidential, Solih, China, Progressive Party of Maldives, Thomson
Locations:
Maldives, Male, China, India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Britain, Abu Dhabi, Solih