The Supreme Court in the Maldives has suspended a presidential election run-off, after protests from a candidate. On Saturday, ex-President Mohamed Nasheed polled nearly 47%, just short of the 50% needed for outright victory.The second round was to have taken place on Sunday, but the runner-up Abdulla Yameen sought a delay, saying he needed time to campaign afresh.
Mr Nasheed has been seeking to regain power after he was forced to resign in 2012, sparking a political crisis.
This is the third time the presidential elections have been derailed.
A vote on 7 September was annulled by the Supreme Court after one candidate, Gasim Ibrahim, alleged irregularities, despite observer groups deeming the vote free and fair. The court also introduced new guidelines for elections.
Police then halted a planned re-run on 19 October saying the guidelines had not been met, after both Mr Gasim and Mr Yameen failed to approve the voter register.
This time, the run-off was planned for only one day after the first round, because the constitution stipulates there must be a new president by Monday.
Despite that legal deadline, the Supreme Court sitting late at night has now ruled that the run-off “cannot take place” and ought to be delayed by six days.
The court said the Sunday run-off might have “undermined the constitutional rights of many people”, agreeing with Mr Yameen’s assertion that he needs more time to campaign.
Mohamed Nasheed’s party and the Commonwealth’s special envoy, Don McKinnon, will probably be furious, reports the BBC’s Charles Haviland , as both had issued statements insisting there be no further delay to the voting process.
The US state department described the demand for a changed election date as “unreasonable” and said it feared delaying the second round could destabilise the country.
Mohamed Nasheed won the Indian Ocean archipelago’s first-ever democratic vote in 2008, replacing Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, who ran the country autocratically for three decades.
On Saturday, Mr Nasheed polled 46.93% of vote, while Abdulla Yameen, the half-brother of Mr Gayoom, polled 29.73%.
Third-placed Gasim Ibrahim, a wealthy resort owner and a former minister under Mr Gayoom, was out of the running with 23.34%.
The suspension of Sunday’s voting means there cannot be a new president by the constitutional deadline of 11 November, when the term of current president President Mohamed Waheed Hassan ends.
The Supreme Court had already announced that the current president could stay on but Mr Hassan has said he doesn’t want to.
Besides, some army officers have been circulating an appeal calling on soldiers not to obey the current president beyond the legal expiry of his term at midnight on Sunday.
The Maldivian Democratic Party – to which Mr Nasheed belongs – has accused Mr Yameen of trying to “subvert democracy”.
The ex-president resigned last year after large sections of the security forces objected to his arrest of a controversial judge.
Since he left office, his mainly liberal supporters and more conservative sections of society have remained bitterly divided. – BBC News
Eurasia Review adds: The US State Department has expressed concern about the elections in Maldives.
“For democracy in Maldives to move forward, it is essential to build upon the successful November 9th election and immediately proceed with the required and previously agreed upon second round,” said Jen Psaki State Department Spokesperson in a press statement, adding that ” U.S. and international observers viewed the peaceful and active voter participation as a clear indication of the Maldivians’ desire for a democratic transition. The positive result of November 9 yet again demonstrates the consistency and capacity of the Elections Commission to deliver a quality electoral process.”
According to Psaki, “It is now imperative that the second round take place immediately and in line with Elections Commission directions in order to ensure the Maldivian people are led by an elected president of their choice.”
Psaki said that to delay second round voting beyond the constitutional requirements for a new government by November 11 will create uncertainties that may destabilize Maldives.
“It is unreasonable and unacceptable for parties to continue to demand changes to an agreed election date,” Psaki said, adding that, “Voters deserve a greater degree of predictability over something as serious as a presidential election. Changing the goalposts is unfair to Maldivian voters; we believe Maldivians deserve better.” – Eurasia Review
