MALE: The Maldives Supreme Court on Monday annulled the results of the September 7 presidential election and scheduled a fresh vote by October 20 after a candidate challenged the outcome, citing irregularities.
The Maldives suspended a presidential run-off election that was due to take place on September 28 after the Supreme Court ordered officials to postpone it. The run-off had been expected to help end months of political turmoil triggered by the removal of former President Mohamed Nasheed, who was ousted from power 20 months ago amid a mutiny by police.
Nasheed had won a first round on September 7 with 45.45 percent of the vote, but fell short of the 50 percent needed for outright victory. Four of seven judges approved the decision. The other three, including Chief Justice Ahmed Faiz Hussain, said there was no legal basis to annul the election.
Judge Ahmed Abdulla Didi, who voted in favour of annulling the poll cited a confidential police report claiming 5,623 ineligible voters had cast votes, including some who were dead, under-age voters, and some using fake identity cards. AFP
