More than 250,000 voters in the Maldives, out of a population of 350,000, were eligible to vote in the election [Sharif Ali/Al Jazeera]

More than 250,000 voters in the Maldives, out of a population of 350,000, were eligible to vote in the election [Sharif Ali/Al Jazeera

The Maldives opposition has claimed victory in the tense presidential election after its officials and an independent newspaper reported results from 90 percent of the ballot boxes.

Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, candidate from the coalition of four parties, whose leaders are either in exile or imprisoned, claimed victory in a televised speech on Sunday.

“We have won this election with a comfortable majority,” said Solih. “I called on President Abdulla Yameen to respect the will of the people and to immediately begin the smooth transition of power.”

Ahmed Nihan, a senior ruling party official, told Al Jazeera that while it was too early to declare a winner, the Progressive Party of the Maldives “has the courage to accept the citizen’s say, regardless of whether we win or lose”.

“We have proved we are capable of facilitating an orderly vote,” said Nihan, adding that the opposition’s claims of vote rigging prior to the election were “baseless”.

Our quick count results indicate that Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has won the 2018 Presidential Election by a decisive margin. We call on all stakeholders to maintain an environment conducive for a peaceful transfer of power. #MVElection2018pic.twitter.com/cfTRDALpNl

— Transparency MV (@TransparencyMV) September 23, 2018

Sunday’s election, considered a referendum on democracy in the troubled island nation, saw Solih run against incumbent president Yameen who sought re-election with a pledge to boost Maldives’ economy after a first five-year term marred by allegations of rights abuses and corruption.

Mihaaru, an independent newspaper, with monitors present at most of the 472 ballot boxes in the country, also said Solih won nearly 58 percent of the votes.

“This is a moment of happiness. This is a moment of hope. This is a moment of history,” said Solih. “We will establish a just and peaceful society in the Maldives. I will be a president for all Maldives.”

More than 250,000 people in the Maldives, out of a population of 350,000, were eligible to vote in Sunday’s election. Voting was also taking place in Kuala Lumpur and Sri Lanka.

Turbulent year

Watching results on national television in the Maldivian capital, Male, Dhahau Naseem said she was “ecstatic”.

“Perhaps there is no way out for Yameen this time,” said Naseem who was “scared of being optimistic about positive results” ahead of the election.

This was “given Yameen’s refusal to tolerate any dissent in the past”, according to Naseem who was referring to the president’s declaration of a state of emergency in defiance of a Supreme Court ruling, which ordered the release of jailed dissidents.

The emergency decree was Yameen’s second in five years.

Within hours of the declaration, security forces arrested two out of the five top court judges on charges of plotting a coup.

Yameen’s half-brother, Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, who ruled the island nation for 30 years, was also arrested.

The three were later jailed on charges of obstructing justice.