Gayoom leads in landmark Maldives election

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MALE, Oct 9 (AFP): The veteran leader of the Maldives has taken the lead in the islands' first democratic election but appeared short of a majority needed to avoid a tough run-off, preliminary results showed Thursday.
Incumbent President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, who has run the Indian ocean archipelago and luxury tourist destination unchallenged for 30 years, was placed ahead of a divided field of five opponents.
The landmark presidential vote held Wednesday was the first time Gayoom -- currently Asia's longest-serving leader -- has allowed any competition.
It also marks the climax of an effort to bring political freedoms to the Muslim nation in the wake of pro-democracy protests and international pressure.
With the count in its early stages, the election commission said Gayoom held 42 per cent of the vote, and Mohamed 'Anni' Nasheed -- a former political prisoner and his fiercest critic -- had 20 per cent.
Unofficial results based on more than half the votes counted and carried by Voice of Maldives radio and the independent Minivannews.com website also showed Gayoom and Anni headed into a run-off, which must be held within 10 days.
Close behind Anni were former attorney general Hassan Saeed, a moderate liberal reformist, and local business magnate Ghaseem Ibrahim.