Supporters of Maldives presidential candidate Mohamed Nasheed shout slogans during a protest in Male
Male:
The Maldives will hold a new presidential election on October 19, the election commission announced on Wednesday, after the Supreme Court annulled a September 7 poll citing voter fraud.
International election observers, including delegations from the Commonwealth, the United Nations, the European Union and India, had declared the September 7 election free and fair.
The tropical Indian Ocean resort archipelago will face a constitutional crisis if there is no president elected by November 11, according to a deadline set in 2008.
Former President Mohamed Nasheed, ousted from power 20 months ago in disputed circumstances amid a mutiny by police, won the first round on September 7 with 45.45 percent of the vote, but fell short of the 50 percent needed for outright victory.
The run-off, scheduled for September 28, had been expected to help end months of political turmoil triggered by the removal of Nasheed.
International election observers, including delegations from the Commonwealth, the United Nations, the European Union and India, had declared the September 7 election free and fair.
The tropical Indian Ocean resort archipelago will face a constitutional crisis if there is no president elected by November 11, according to a deadline set in 2008.
Former President Mohamed Nasheed, ousted from power 20 months ago in disputed circumstances amid a mutiny by police, won the first round on September 7 with 45.45 percent of the vote, but fell short of the 50 percent needed for outright victory.
The run-off, scheduled for September 28, had been expected to help end months of political turmoil triggered by the removal of Nasheed.
© Thomson Reuters 2013
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