Police force stops presidential elections in Maldives: official

Male: One Presidential election annulled, another poll date put off, elections given the go-ahead four hours before booths were to open and then the polls cancelled - that's an overview of the last 42 days of Maldivian political history.

At around 7am, hours after it announced rescheduled the presidential polls would go ahead and an hour before polling stations were to open - the poll panel cancelled the elections. In its second post-midnight press conference, the Election Commission or EC said the police had surrounded its building and was not letting it take out any poll material (ballot boxes and sheets needed to be flown immediately to far away atolls).

"We did everything humanly possible to hold elections. The police obstructed us," EC head, Fuwad Thowfeek, said. The Police earlier issued a statement saying it was only complying with the Supreme Court's orders.  

Not announcing any further date for the elections, the EC, in a statement, said: 'When we are informed of the next date for the election, we will announce the election.'

The latest developments are bound to raise tension in a politically surcharged atmosphere where the first round of elections were annulled by the Supreme Court, rescheduled, and now cancelled again.

Timeline of uncertainty:
The Supreme Court, in two other near-midnight orders had first halted the run-off elections - just 5 days before scheduled - for September 28. In its second late-night order, on October 7, the court had struck down the first round of polls that had seen ex-President Nasheed as a run-away winner with 45.45 per cent of the vote. But since he didn't get the constitutionally required 50 per cent +1 vote to win the polls, a run-off was needed.

After the Supreme Court ruled that fresh polls be held, the Election Commission set October 19 for the first round and November 3 for a second round (if needed). The Maldivian Constitution requires the next head of state to be sworn in by November 11.

After the first vote was annulled, the current Maldives' President Mohamed Waheed pulled out of the rescheduled elections. He was fourth in the first round of the elections with 5.13 per cent of the vote. This left only three of the four original candidates in the fray. President Nasheed, the country's first and only democratically elected President in 2009, had won the first round. Abdulla Gayoom, the former autocrat Maumoon Gayoom's brother, had 25.35 per cent of votes, and resort tycoon Qasim Ibrahim had 24.07 per cent of votes. Of the 240,000 eligible voters, 88 per cent had cast their ballot in the now struck-down elections.

Claim, counterclaim:
Candidate Mr Ibrahim's petition alleging voter fraud and irregularities had been upheld by the Supreme Court and fresh polls ordered. Mr Nasheed's party alleges the judiciary is favouring the remaining two candidates. His party, the Maldivian Democratic Party or MDP, alleges a judge - implicated in a series of sex tapes with an alleged escort was not suspended by a commission which had Mr Ibrahim on it. He also says much of the judiciary was appointed during the 30 year term of his predecessor who is the brother of another candidate, Mr Gayoom, and owes him allegiance.

One step forward, two steps back:
Mr Gayoom and Mr Qasim have alleged voter fraud but after new guidelines were issued by the Supreme Sourt for voter registration, both parties refused to endorse the fresh lists for today's rescheduled polls. Mr Nasheed's party says the lists have been approved by the Directorate of National Registry. The MDP claims the two parties' are delaying the elections because they know they will lose and thus want a constitutional emergency to be put in place.

Mr Nadheed had urged his rivals not to hold up the elections. The Election Commission on the eve of today's cancelled polls said the two anti-Nasheed candidates were not responding to fresh guidelines. The anti-Nasheed parties allege the EC is biased against them.

India and the international community:
The international community have expressed displeasure over the delays. India had warned parties that the will of the people should be respected - something echoed by the UN, the Commonwealth, the US, and EU. Indian Foreign Secretary Sujatha Singh who was rushed to Male, issued a statement, after meeting all parties on Thursday, urging all parties to accept the results of elections to enable a smooth transfer of power and reconciliation post elections.'

Turbulent times:
The on-now, off-now elections are expected to see more political uncertainty and a potential constitutional crisis. Saturday's early morning drama will also receive international criticism and possible harsher diplomatic measures. But, the question is, how will the Maldives' now chart its fledging course in the uncharted, choppy constitutional and political waters it is now in? And will frustration and political rivalry find a resolution through constitutional institutions and state mechanisms or will they be converted into pitched battles on the street as they were post February 2012 when a controversial change of power took place?