Former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom has stated defeat must be accepted even if a presidential election has been lost by a single vote.
Speaking to media following the meeting with President-Elect Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, former President Maumoon shared his experiences on the election and the results to journalists when he lost in the 2008 Presidential Election. In this regard, the former president revealed his followers asked him to refuse and go for a re-count when he managed to receive just 46% of the votes cast in 2008. He noted, however, he accepted the defeat and congratulated incoming President Mohamed Nasheed for his victory.
During the meeting, the former president and the president-elect discussed on ways to maintain the coalition, following a landslide victory in the presidential election held on September 23.