Opposition candidate leading in Maldives runoff

By Judith Evans

MALE, Oct 29 (Reuters) - Asia's longest-serving leader on Wednesday was trailing a former political prisoner he repeatedly jailed, according to provisional results from a runoff vote in the Maldives to decide who will lead the tropical Indian Ocean archipelago.

With 46 percent of all votes counted, incumbent President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom had 47 percent compared to 53 percent for his longtime nemesis, democracy activist Mohamed "Anni" Nasheed, provisional results from the Election Commission said.

The historic vote is the culmination of years of campaigning for democratic reforms on the string of 1,192 mostly uninhabited coral atolls 800 km (500 miles) off the tip of India, which Gayoom has been criticised for ruling like a personal estate.

Gayoom, 71, won the Oct. 9-10 first round, the first multiparty vote in the former British protectorate's history, but did not get the 50 percent needed to avoid a runoff.

Nasheed, 41, was second, but this time had the backing of the four contenders who trailed him and Gayoom.

It is the first time Gayoom has faced opposition at the polls since first being elected in 1978. In each of the previous six elections, he stood alone for a yes-no nod from voters.

Election Commissioner Mohamed Ibrahim said the commission would announce a final provisional result before noon (0700 GMT), and also give a date for a final official result. The election board has a maximum of seven days to give its verdict.

There are a little more than 209,000 registered voters but no turnout figures were available.