President elect Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has called on the government to release political prisoners and immediately begin smooth transition of power.

Solih, who according to interim results won Sunday's presidential vote, said this in a speech thanking his supporters.

'For those of you who voted for me, thank you. Thank you for having your say in our future. Thank you for having your voice heard.', Solih said.

Interim results show that Solih, and his running mate Faisal Naseem, have secured at least 58 percent. The official results will be announced on September 30th.

Solih represents a coalition of parties; the Maldivian Democratic Party, to which he belongs, the Jumhooree Party, the Adhaalath Party, and the Maumoon Reform Movement - a breakaway faction of the ruling party.

While the ruling Proggessive Party of Maldives, which vehemently campaigned in support for President Abdulla Yameen’s bid for re-election, thus far maintains silence over their loss, a senior official of the party said they will 'accept the results' of the election.