Maldives Supreme Court postpones run-off in presidential race

Male – Maldives Supreme Court early Sunday blocked a second round run-off to elect a new president and postponed the re-vote to Nov 16 amid deep political infighting, media reported here.

The Supreme Court order issued Sunday morning carried only the stamp of the highest court, reported Xinhua.

It stated that by holding the run-off the very next day to the first round could undermine the constitutional rights of many people.

Hence the court finds that Nov 16 is the best date to hold the run-off, the order said.

The two top polling candidates’- former President Mohammad Nasheed and Progressive Party of Maldives candidate Abdulla Yameen- was expected to face-off to decide the next president of the Maldives Sunday.

“The order was issued after Jumhoory Party (JP) youth wing President Moosa Anwar asked the Supreme Court to postpone the run-off of the presidential re-vote scheduled for Sunday,” media outlet Haveeru reported.

The return of the second round to Nov 16 comes after candidates agreed to push forward the date to Nov 10 to avoid a constitutional void as a new president has to be sworn in by Nov 11.

However, the Supreme Court Saturday allowed outgoing president Waheed to remain as president until a replacement is elected.

This is the third attempt being made to elect a president in the Maldives.