Opposition leader Ibrahim Mohamed Solih won a surprise victory in the presidential election held in the Maldives over the weekend, ousting authoritarian President Abdulla Yameen, according to provisional results announced Monday.

The Maldives Election Commission said that Solih won 58.3 percent of the vote, receiving 134,616 votes compared to Yameen's 96,132 votes.

Out of 262,135 eligible voters, 233,877 people cast votes in Sunday's election at 472 ballot boxes in the Maldives and abroad in India, Malaysia and Sri Lanka, the commission said on its website.

(Ibrahim Mohamed Solih attends a press conference to declare victory)

Yameen, of the Progressive Party of Maldives, conceded defeat soon after the Election Commission announced the provisional results.

"The Maldivian people have made their decision about me and I have decided to accept the results and stay in service to the people in any way I can," he said in a speech broadcast live.

Yameen also conveyed his sincere congratulations to Solih, adding that he will work to ensure a smooth transition.

"Earlier today, I met with Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, I have congratulated him," he said.

Solih, of the Maldivian Democratic Party and widely known as Ibu, claimed victory shortly after midnight, calling the result a "historical moment of happiness and hope."

"The will of the people has spoken decisively for change," Solih, who was backed by a coalition of four opposition parties, told reporters at a press conference in the capital Male.

"The message is loud and clear. The people of Maldives want change, peace and justice," he said.

Mohamed Nasheed, the exiled former president of the Indian Ocean nation, conveyed his best wishes in a tweet from Colombo.

"Congratulations to President Elect @ibusolih. You have done an extremely good service to not only to the people of Maldives, but also to freedom loving people everywhere. Democracy is a historical inevitability," said Nasheed, who was barred from taking part in the election.

Neighboring India on Monday welcomed the result and "heartily" congratulated Solih on his victory.

A statement issued by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs notably said the election "marks not only the triumph of democratic forces in the Maldives, but also reflects the firm commitment to the values of democracy and the rule of law."

The United States hailed the election result in a tweet by its diplomatic mission in Sri Lanka. "We look forward to a peaceful transition of power and will work with President-elect @ibusolih's government to further strengthen bilateral ties," it said.

Solih and his vice president are scheduled to be sworn in on Nov. 17.

An official announcement of the election result will be made before Sunday.

Yameen, who became president in the 2013 election that remains mired in controversy, faced criticism for running an authoritarian regime.

During his tenure he oversaw the arrest of political opponents, dismantled the Supreme Court, and imposed martial law twice.

He also pushed the country deeper into a Chinese "debt trap" with a new $200 million bridge that was opened just ahead of the election.

The presidential election was the Maldives' third since becoming a democracy a decade ago.