The Maldives will go ahead with a presidential election run-off on September 28, election commissioner Fuwad Thowfeek said on Thursday, despite a decision by the Supreme Court to postpone the second round following a complaint of vote rigging. Thowfeek’s comments followed mounting international pressure on the government to push ahead with a run-off, amid hopes it could end political turmoil in the Indian Ocean archipelago. The first round of voting, on September 7, was won by ex-president Mohamed Nasheed, whose removal from power 20 months ago ignited months of unrest. He secured 45.45 percent in the first round, short of the 50 percent needed for outright victory, and his party promptly announced mass protests against the postponement.
In second place was Abdulla Yameen, half-brother of long-time ruler Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, and just behind him in third was Gasim Ibrahim, a tourism and media tycoon who was finance minister under Gayoom.
It was Gasim’s Jumhoory Party (JP) that asked the Supreme Court to annul the first round result, alleging voting irregularities, a move that Nasheed’s Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) dismissed as unconstitutional.
Whether the second round will be held on September 28 remains to be seen. Although the MDP controls parliament, the police have already informed the election commission that they will abide by the Supreme Court ruling.
Any postponement could trigger a constitutional crisis, political analysts said, as the run-off must be held within three weeks of the first round.
Full Article: Maldives to hold run-off vote despite court delay – official | Firstpost.
