Maldives election: Voting begins in controversial poll
The Maldives has started to vote in a heavily-criticised election that will be closely watched by India and China.
The Indian Ocean archipelago is best-known overseas for its clear waters and high-end resorts but its government stands accused of crushing dissent.
President Abdulla Yameen has embraced China, while his opponent, Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, is seen as leaning towards India and the West.
The European Union and US have voiced concerns about the election.
Both have threatened to impose targeted sanctions if the democratic situation does not improve.
Police raided opposition headquarters on the eve of the vote, according to local reports.
Polls opened at 08:00 (03:00 GMT) on Sunday.
The Maldives is made up of 26 coral atolls and 1,192 islands, and tourism is a vital part of its economy. More than 400,000 people live there but its future hangs in the balance due to climate change.
DAY IMPORTANT
Videos

Unpacked 2019: Samsung Reveals Second Generation Galaxy Buds

Egypt President Takes ‘First Step’ in Recognizing Armenian Genocide

Armenian President Conducts Brief Talks with Joe Biden in Munich

President Armen Sarkissian's Speech at University of Heidelberg

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's Speech at Konrad Adenauer Foundation

German Chancellor Merkel Welcomes Armenian Premier at Federal Residence in Berlin

Galaxy F: Samsung Foldable Phone Official Video Leaked

Armenian Prime Minister's Speech at Technical University of Cologne

LA Police Release Footage of Armenian School Hate Crime

EU Commissioner for Human Rights Issues Report in Armenia

We are Looking Forward to Closer Cooperation with Our EU Partners - Armenian President to Commissioner Johannes Hahn

It's Time for Armenia to 'Transform Political Revolution to Economic One', Pashinyan tells Euronews

Armenia to Create New Economic Model to Promote Micro-Businesses’ Development, Pashinyan says in Davos

Pashinyan, Aliyev Discuss Situation over Karabakh in Davos

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan Meets with Swiss Businessmen in Zurich

Armenian President Delivers Keynote Speech at Abu Dhabi Sustainability Summit

Firefighters Revisit Scene of Armenia's Earthquake in 1988

Armenian-Style Revolution Implies Also Generational Change in Thinking, President Tells Indian TV Channel

Pashinyan will Face Real Challenges Amid Economic Transformations in Armenia– Ruben Vardanyan's interview with DW

Lynne Tracy: We Acknowledge Historical Facts but Support President’s Policies on 1915 Events

Women and Youth are Stakeholders in Building Security - Zohrab Mnatsakanyan's Speech at World Forum for Democracy

First Armenian Military Robot Tested

Serj Tankian Warns of Hazards of Exploiting Amulsar Mine

Turkish Violin Virtuoso Dedicates Piece of Komitas Music to Ara Guler's Memory

Samvel Farmanyan's Speech in PACE

iPhone Xs & Xs Max Fail Resistivity Test

Slavik Hayrapetyan at US International Skating Classic 2018

Official Trailer of Anders Breivik Movie Goes Viral

How Armenia Teaches Chess to Young Kids

Armenian PM urges NATO to send message to Azerbaijan: Euronews Exclusive

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan Meets with European Officials in Brussels

How corruption has damaged Armenia's environment - France 24

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan Welcomed at Moscow Airport

Armenian President Cooks Hamburgers at Children's Day Event

Armenia Hosts Special Parade to Mark First Republic Day

Anthony Bourdain feat. Serj Tankian in Armenia - Parts Unknown (CNN)

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Getting Married in Windsor

Peaceful Revolution in Armenia was a 'Complete Turnaround' - Serj Tankian

Deadpool and Celine Dion Take Fans by Surprise with New Music Video

Armenian People are 'Courageous and Proud' to Express their Opinion'- President Sarkissian on Anti-Government Protests
-
09:33 • 21.02.19 Unpacked 2019: Samsung Reveals Second Generation Galaxy Buds
-
12:34 • 20.02.19 Egypt President Takes ‘First Step’ in Recognizing Armenian Genocide
-
11:51 • 18.02.19 Armenian President Conducts Brief Talks with Joe Biden in Munich
-
10:56 • 16.02.19 President Armen Sarkissian's Speech at University of Heidelberg
-
11:12 • 02.02.19 Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's Speech at Konrad Adenauer Foundation
-
10:11 • 02.02.19 German Chancellor Merkel Welcomes Armenian Premier at Federal Residence in Berlin
-
14:21 • 01.02.19 Galaxy F: Samsung Foldable Phone Official Video Leaked
-
17:43 • 31.01.19 Armenian Prime Minister's Speech at Technical University of Cologne
-
16:29 • 31.01.19 LA Police Release Footage of Armenian School Hate Crime
-
10:02 • 30.01.19 EU Commissioner for Human Rights Issues Report in Armenia
-
09:37 • 30.01.19 We are Looking Forward to Closer Cooperation with Our EU Partners - Armenian President to Commissioner Johannes Hahn
-
17:46 • 24.01.19 It's Time for Armenia to 'Transform Political Revolution to Economic One', Pashinyan tells Euronews
-
09:57 • 24.01.19 Armenia to Create New Economic Model to Promote Micro-Businesses’ Development, Pashinyan says in Davos
-
09:13 • 23.01.19 Pashinyan, Aliyev Discuss Situation over Karabakh in Davos
-
09:48 • 22.01.19 Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan Meets with Swiss Businessmen in Zurich
-
10:02 • 17.01.19 Armenian President Delivers Keynote Speech at Abu Dhabi Sustainability Summit
-
09:33 • 27.12.18 Firefighters Revisit Scene of Armenia's Earthquake in 1988
-
10:20 • 24.12.18 Armenian-Style Revolution Implies Also Generational Change in Thinking, President Tells Indian TV Channel
-
16:57 • 12.12.18 Pashinyan will Face Real Challenges Amid Economic Transformations in Armenia– Ruben Vardanyan's interview with DW
-
11:25 • 06.12.18 Lynne Tracy: We Acknowledge Historical Facts but Support President’s Policies on 1915 Events
-
16:15 • 23.11.18 Women and Youth are Stakeholders in Building Security - Zohrab Mnatsakanyan's Speech at World Forum for Democracy
-
12:38 • 10.11.18 First Armenian Military Robot Tested
-
10:06 • 23.10.18 Serj Tankian Warns of Hazards of Exploiting Amulsar Mine
-
15:42 • 19.10.18 Turkish Violin Virtuoso Dedicates Piece of Komitas Music to Ara Guler's Memory
-
11:46 • 11.10.18 Samvel Farmanyan's Speech in PACE
-
14:43 • 25.09.18 iPhone Xs & Xs Max Fail Resistivity Test
-
13:18 • 15.09.18 Slavik Hayrapetyan at US International Skating Classic 2018
-
16:42 • 05.09.18 Official Trailer of Anders Breivik Movie Goes Viral
-
14:17 • 18.07.18 How Armenia Teaches Chess to Young Kids
-
15:01 • 13.07.18 Armenian PM urges NATO to send message to Azerbaijan: Euronews Exclusive
-
17:21 • 12.07.18 Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan Meets with European Officials in Brussels
-
15:16 • 19.06.18 How corruption has damaged Armenia's environment - France 24
-
16:43 • 13.06.18 Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan Welcomed at Moscow Airport
-
16:50 • 01.06.18 Armenian President Cooks Hamburgers at Children's Day Event
-
12:47 • 28.05.18 Armenia Hosts Special Parade to Mark First Republic Day
-
15:26 • 22.05.18 Anthony Bourdain feat. Serj Tankian in Armenia - Parts Unknown (CNN)
-
14:41 • 19.05.18 Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Getting Married in Windsor
-
14:55 • 09.05.18 Peaceful Revolution in Armenia was a 'Complete Turnaround' - Serj Tankian
-
10:29 • 05.05.18 Deadpool and Celine Dion Take Fans by Surprise with New Music Video
-
16:51 • 29.04.18 Armenian People are 'Courageous and Proud' to Express their Opinion'- President Sarkissian on Anti-Government Protests
exclusive

Most popular articles Today Yesterday For a week
-
Politics 16:28 • 19/02 Armenian parliament speaker rules out constitutional transition to semi-presidential government The political plan to initiate constitutional reforms is high on the Armenian parliaments agenda which doesnt, however, propose largescale changes to make a transition to the semipresidential model possible, the spea
-
Politics 18:24 • 19/02 'I can invest my knowledge and expertise in Armenia's development' – deputy Diaspora minister 'optimistic about future career' Deputy Minister of Diaspora Babken TerGrigoryan is reported to be among the possible candidates to hold the post of Chief Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs after the planned government changes Under a recently initiat
-
Entertainment 14:10 • 16/02 Melania Trump wraps up warm in a $2300 cape and holds hands with husband Donald Trump as the president and first lady head to Mar-a-Lago ahead of Presidents Day weekend (photos) The first lady, 48, wrapped up warm in a $2300 Ferragamo cape as the couple boarded Marine One at the White House. She teamed the dark brown ...
Law
-
18:16 • 20.02.19 Human being 'supreme value' in Armenia, prime minister says
Economy
-
14:23 • 20.02.19 Armenia-Artsakh economic cooperation discussed in Yerevan
Event
-
12:35 • 21.02.19 Armenia, Georgia sign 2019 military cooperation program
Press digest
-
10:11 • 15.02.19 Zhamanak: Bako Sahakyan 'expected to step down by May'
Science/tech
-
09:12 • 21.02.19 Samsung launches Galaxy Buds and Galaxy Watch Active
-
11:13 • 20.02.19 New gene therapy could treat rare brain disorder in unborn babies
Sports
-
14:37 • 20.02.19 Man City buy stake in Chinese football club
-
09:14 • 19.02.19 FA Cup: Chelsea 0-2 Man Utd
-
12:56 • 16.02.19 Ronaldo scores Juventus go 14 points clear at top
Culture
-
10:09 • 20.02.19 Gwyneth Paltrow to exit Marvel cinematic universe
-
09:22 • 19.02.19 Queen Rock to perform live at Oscars