Maldives holds first-ever multiparty parliamentary elections

Colombo: An election official says citizens in the Maldives were voting Saturday in the country's first multiparty parliamentary elections.

The elections are the culmination of a reform movement that began five years ago, ending decades of authoritarian rule in this Indian Ocean archipelago.

Election commissioner Mohomed Ibrahim said Saturday 455 candidates are contesting 77 parliamentary seats. There are 13 registered parties but many candidates are running as independents.

More than 210,000 citizens are eligible to vote.

Ibrahim said by telephone from Male that voting is going "smoothly."

He said results would be announced in one week's time, allowing time for complaints and verifications.