| Opposition leader wins presidential election |
| 29 Oct 2008 |
| On 29 October 2008 Election Commission officials in the Maldives announced that opposition leader and former political prisoner Mohamed Nasheed has won the run-off in the country's first-ever democratic presidential election. Nasheed received approximately 54 percent of the vote, giving him a decisive victory over long-serving incumbent President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom. Thousands of Nasheed's supporters gathered in the streets of Male to celebrate the victory. Gayoom has ruled the island nation in the Indian Ocean for the past 30 years and has been criticized for his harsh suppression of political opposition. Gayoom imprisoned Nasheed at least six times in the past decade for leading the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party. Nasheed told reporters that he will bring far-reaching democratic changes to the government.
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| Maldives will have a run-off election on 29 October |
| 10 Oct 2008 |
| On 10 October 2008 sources indicated that the Maldives will have a run-off election on 29 October. None of the six candidates that ran for president received 50 percent of the vote, which was needed to become the new president according to the new constitution that was ratified in August 2008. Incumbent President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom received approximately 41 percent for the votes, followed by opposition candidate Mohammed Nasheed, who received approximately 25 percent. The two candidates will run against each other in the next election. The commissioner stated that the election was free and fair and voter turnout was high. Approximately 85 percent of those eligible voted in the election.
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| First multi-party presidential election held |
| 08 Oct 2008 |
| The Maldives held its first multi-party presidential election on 8 October 2008; allegations of voter fraud have marred the proceedings, increasing the risk of protests. Reports indicate that election officials may extend voting due to the fact that some voter registration lists are not matching official records. Violent pro-democracy demonstrations occurred in 2004, which President Gayoom -- who is running in the current election -- forcefully put down.
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| Government announces that it will hold its first multi-party presidential elections |
| 09 Sep 2008 |
| On 8 September 2008 the Maldivian government announced that it will hold its first multi-party presidential elections on 4 October 2008, pending the approval of the Parliament. President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom had already stated that he plans to run in the election, seeking a seventh consecutive term in office. The elections come after reforms were introduced to respond to criticisms that Gayoom had stifled democratic protests. An opposition leader and two former government ministers are expected to challenge Gayoom for the position.
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| Country’s new constitution signed |
| 07 Aug 2008 |
| On 7 August 2008 President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom signed the country’s new constitution, which was completed on 26 June. The new constitution will allow multiparty elections as well as the formation of independent human rights' groups, as well as an independent judiciary and police force. A 114-member council approved the constitution before the president endorsed it. The first presidential election is scheduled to occur on 10 October, which will end the autocratic powers of presidential rule.
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