| By Roland Buerk
BBC News, Maldives |   Other opposition candidates have backed Mohamed Nasheed | The people of the Maldives are set to vote in the run-off round of the first democratic presidential election. Asia's longest-serving leader, President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, is facing former political prisoner and pro-democracy leader Mohamed Nasheed. President Gayoom won the first round earlier this month, but failed to secure the 50% needed for outright victory over Mr Nasheed. Both candidates say they are confident of victory. The campaigning was noisy with rallies late into Sunday night and parades of trucks and taxis in the narrow streets of the cramped island capital of Male. Opposition candidates who were knocked out are now supporting Mr Nasheed, known as Anni. President Gayoom has ruled the Maldives since 1978 and claims credit for making the country South Asia's most prosperous, largely thanks to tourists who come for the white sandy beaches and turquoise lagoons. He began a reform programme following international criticism of his suppression of street protests in 2004. Reasons to win This is the first time President Gayoom has allowed competition in an election. Mohamed Nasheed has said he is a dictator and a has-been sultan, and that the Maldives needs change. | 
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