Maldives' main opposition candidate Mohamed Muiz participates in a rally as he concludes his campaign for the second round of presidential election in capital Male, Maldives, Sept 29, 2023. (PHOTO / AP)

COLOMBO - Mohamed Muizzu, candidate of the coalition of Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) and People's National Congress (PNC), emerged as the winner in the runoff presidential election in the Maldives on Saturday.

Muizzu won about 54 percent of the votes, while incumbent President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih received about 46 percent during the runoff presidential election, according to figures released by the Election Commission of the Maldives (ECM).

Based on the election results, Muizzu will serve as the Indian Ocean archipelagic country's president with a five-year term

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Solih congratulated president-elect Muizzu, who is also the mayor of capital city Male, on social media after the results were released.

Foreign Minister of the Maldives Abdulla Shahid also sent congratulations to Muizzu.

Over 87 percent of 282,804 eligible voters turned out for the runoff election on Saturday, according to the ECM.

Based on the election results, Muizzu will serve as the Indian Ocean archipelagic country's president with a five-year term.

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No candidate won more than 50 percent of votes in the first round of the presidential election on Sept 9, during which Muizzu secured more than 46 percent of the votes, while Solih followed with 39 percent.