Colombo, Oct 17: The Maldives announced a nation-wide referendum on October 17 to ratify Parliament's election of President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom for a sixth five-year term.
Chief Commissioner Ibrahim Rashad said 148,271 Maldivian citizens over the age of 21 will be eligible to vote at the referendum, which Gayoom is expected to sweep.
Gayoom, 65, polled all 50 votes in the Majlis, or Parliament Thursday in the first and most decisive stage of the battle to lead the nation of 1,192 Coral Islands.
He won over 90 per cent of the popular vote at the referendum five years ago and is set to assume office for another term from November 11, diplomats said.
There will 77,397 male voters and 70,874 female voters who are eligible to say "yes" or "no" in the referendum.


Bureau Report