Yameen conceded defeat to opposition candidate Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and congratulated him for the victory.
Maldives President Abdulla Yameen conceded defeat to opposition candidate Ibrahim Mohamed Solih on Monday in a presidential election.
"Maldivian people have decided what they want. I have accepted the results from yesterday. Earlier today, I met with Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, who the Maldivian electorate has chosen to be their next president. I have congratulated him," Yameen said in a televised press conference.
The country's Elections Commission said Solih won by a margin of 16.7 percent in Sunday's vote.
Mohamed Shainee, the minister of fisheries in Yameen's government, said on Twitter it was "the beginning of a new chapter" for the country.
"Forgive our wrongdoings, give strength to our leaders to resist the temptation to disbelieve," he said.
Earlier, Maldives' Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on Twitter that Solih has won the island nation's presidential election.
"Voting proceeded smoothly and peacefully, with no reported incidents," the foreign ministry said.
"No major issues were reported in the vote counting process as well as with the voters list, which will affect the results."
Yameen has faced criticism for jailing opponents in Maldives, popular with tourists and a key state in the battle for influence between India and China in south Asia.
Voter turnout was 89.2 percent, the Elections Commission said, adding the official results would be released by September 30.
Solih, known popularly as Ibu, claimed victory and called on Yameen to concede.
"This is a moment of happiness, a moment of hope. This is a journey that has ended at the ballot box because the people willed it," Solih told reporters in Male.
"The message is loud and clear. The people of Maldives want change, peace and justice. I would like to call on President Yameen to accept the will of the people and begin a smooth transition of power as per the constitution," he said.
Hundreds of people gathered outside the main opposition campaign centre in Male in a jubilant mood, chanting "Ibu, Ibu, Ibu" and calling on Yameen to concede defeat.
Yameen had been expected to cement his grip on power amid criticism over the fairness of the vote on the islands best known as a luxury holiday destination.
(With Reuters inputs)
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 "Maldives outgoing President Abdulla Yameen casts his vote at a polling station in Male, Maldives, September 23, 2018. (Reuters)")
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