Nasheed demands resignation of Maldives president

Male – Former president Mohammed Nasheed, the front-runner in the long-drawn-out presidential race in the Maldives, has asked incumbent President Mohammed Waheed to resign and make way for a fresh replacement.

Nasheed, who secured 46.93 percent of the votes in Saturday’s first round election, was to face former president Abdul Gayoom’s half-brother Abdulla Yameen in a second round runoff scheduled Sunday, reported Xinhua.

However, just hours ahead of voting, the Supreme Court blocked the runoff once again and ordered it to be held Nov 16.

According to the Maldives’ constitution, a new president has to be sworn in Nov 11, but the Supreme Court Sunday also ordered that current President Mohammed Waheed should remain in power until a new president is elected.

“If there is an election under President Waheed, it would be unconstitutional and it will be difficult. We hope that he resigns Monday and we are seeking for an election where the Speaker of Parliament will be appointed as the Head of State and he will oversee a transition of power,” Nasheed told reporters.