Maldives opposition candidate ‘wins presidential runoff’

The Maldives’ main opposition candidate Mohamed Muiz casts his vote in Male (AP/PA)

Opposition candidate Mohamed Muiz won the Maldives presidential runoff on Saturday, securing more than 53% of the vote, local media reported.

The election has turned into a virtual referendum on which regional power — India or China — will have the biggest influence in the Indian Ocean archipelago nation.