The tiny Indian Ocean archipelago Maldives held a referendum on Saturday to decide whether it should follow a United States-style presidential form or a Britain-style parliamentary system in future.

Chief government spokesman Mohamed Hussain Shareef told Xinhua by telephone from the Maldivian capital of Male that about 193,000voters cast their votes in the referendum which lasted 12 hours from 7:00 a.m. (0200 GMT) to 7: 00 p.m. (1400 GMT).

Shareef said the turnout was high and the result is expected tobe announced early Sunday.

The spokesman said he expected that Maldivian President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom's party, the DRP (Dhivehi Rayyithunge Party) will win the referendum.

Analysts say the referendum is a trial of strength between the DRP and the main opposition MDP (Maldivian Democratic Party) led by its chairman Mohamed Nasheed and its president Mohamed Munavaar.

The DRP favors the presidential form, saying it guarantees maximum stability in a small country like Maldives and the form makes it possible for the people to elect directly their leader in the elections.

The party also said it could provide improved living standards and service to the people in this chain of 1,192 islands strung across the equator.

On the other hand, the MDP said a parliamentary system ensures maximum participation of the people in the overall administration of the government and the affairs of the country.

It said the parliamentary system will ensure a fair distribution of wealth of the country.

Home to around 300,000 Sunni Muslims, the Maldives has an appointed body the Majlis which can comment on the legislation.

Diplomats also said Gayoom is likely to win the referendum as most Maldivians appeared unwilling to embrace radical change in the nation which enjoys South Asia's highest per capita income of more than 2,300 dollars.

Political parties were allowed in the Maldives for the first time in June 2005 as part of the reforms sponsored by President Gayoom who was first elected in 1978 and is currently the longest-serving head of state in Asia.
 
(Xinhua News Agency August 19, 2007)