Maldives gears up for first democratic election

'Power to the People'
After winning six elections unopposed, Gayoom began a government reform program in 2004 in the face of street protests and growing international pressure.

A new constitution stripping much of the president's power, establishing independent courts and creating term limits was ratified in August, clearing the way for the vote.

In the weeks before the election, the top candidates campaigned to enthusiastic support, with posters and huge banners in Male.

Saeed said he visited more than 140 islands, traveling by seaplane to some remote atolls. His campaign posters, with the slogan "Power to the People," featured multicolored Andy Warhol-inspired portraits.

Gayoom was greeted by singing and dancing villagers when he arrived by seaplane recently on outlying islands, where he remains popular.

In Male, a Gayoom rally broke out at a park along the coast when a sound truck blaring campaign slogans and music pulled up and party workers threw campaign hats and T-shirts to supporters. The gathering abruptly ended when the evening call to prayer rang out from a nearby mosque.

'We have everything'
Before Gayoom took power, the Maldives had no paved roads and few education opportunities. The only health care on outlying islands was from traditional healers who recited verses from the Quran and splashed water in patients' faces, said Aishath Didi, a 49-year-old who wore a Gayoom hat over her Islamic head scarf.

"Now what don't we get? We have everything," she said.

At a rally Monday night in Male, Nasheed was hailed as Maldives' Nelson Mandela to a roaring crowd of thousands. When torrential rain began, some ran for the nearby trees but hundreds of others stood defiantly on their chairs.

Fathu Hulla, a 25-year-old accountant who ducked under a tree, said Gayoom had turned the economy over to cronies and should have been removed 15 years ago.

"We woke up too late," Hulla said.

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