By KRISHAN FRANCIS
Mohamed Nasheed, center, Maldives’ first democratically elected president, addresses the media at his residence in Male, Maldives, Sunday, Sept. 8, 2013. Nasheed, who was ousted last year in what he called a coup, will face a runoff against the brother of the country’s former dictator after falling short of a clear majority in the Indian Ocean archipelago’s presidential election. (AP Photo/Sinan Hussain)
MALE, Maldives (AP) — The first democratically elected president of the Maldives says his rivals portraying him as anti-Islamic may have turned some voters against him and denied him a simple majority in the presidential election.
Mohamed Nasheed emerged the clear leader in Saturday’s election, with 45 percent of the votes, but he fell short of the more than 50 percent needed in the first round to avoid a Sept. 28 runoff against Yaamin Abdul Qayyoom, a brother of Maldives’ former autocrat Maumoon Abdul Gayoom.
Nasheed’s rivals have long accused him of working with Jews and Christians and of trying to undermine Islam in the 100 percent Muslim nation, and the allegation featured prominently in the election campaign.
Nasheed told reporters Sunday that some parties made religion an issue and it affected the voting.
