Opposition candidate Dr. Mohamed Muizzu has won the presidential election.

With the majority of ballot boxes counted, the interim result shows Muizzu in the lead.

During the first round of the election on September 9, Muizzu secured 46 percent of the votes.

Adhadhu has published results from 450 ballot boxes so far which shows Muizzu leading with 54 percent or 89,926 votes.

There are 136 uncounted ballot boxes and the results from these boxes are not expected to affect the overall result.

Who is Muizzu?

The presidential candidate from the Progressive Party of Maldives-People's National Congress (PPM-PNC) coalition, who is the current Mayor of the capital Male' City, began his political career in 2005 as a member of Adhaalath Party (AP).

After former President Mohamed Nasheed's government was overthrown in a mutiny by the policy and soldiers in February 2012, Muizzu was appointed as the Housing Minister of the government formed by President Dr. Mohamed Waheed.

The 45-year-old was born on June 15, 1978 in Haa Alif Vashafaru island. Muizzu is married to Saajidha Ismail and the pair has three children.

Muizzu holds a degree in Structural Engineering, a Masters Degree in Civil Engineering and a PhD in Civil Engineering. He received his PhD from the University of Leeds, UK.

Muizzu served as the Housing Minister in the 2018 government of President Abdulla Yameen as a member of the Maldives Development Alliance (MDA). However, he left the MDA and joined the PPM before the end of Yameen's term.

During his tenure as Housing Minister, Muizzu implemented important projects including the Hulhumale' Bridge, Rasfannu, Sultan Park, other parks in Male' and the largest mosque in Maldives, the King Salman mosque.

Muizzu's political career included serving as the Vice-President of the PPM. He abruptly left the party to contest the PNC primary to nominate an opposition candidate for the September 9 presidential election if the candidacy of former President Abdulla Yameen, who is serving an 11-year prison sentence, is declared invalid. Muizzu won the primary against Maduvvari MP Adam Shareef.

He has faced many challenges in his political career. He was charged with fraud but escaped conviction.

After being elected mayor, Muizzu endured harassment from some party members. City council meetings were halted on some occasions and some have even tried to limit the powers of the mayor.

Following speculations that Muizzu was interested in the Presidency, he was forced to deny it publicly.