DHAKA: Maldives officials on Thursday moved up a possible presidential run-off to Sunday, one day after the election in a bid to avoid a potential constitutional crisis.

Two presidential election attempts since September have failed, and the Indian Ocean archipelago must have an elected president by November 11, when the current presidential term ends.

If no clear winner emerges on Saturday, the country could have faced a political deadlock as the runoff was originally planned for November 16 and no interim caretaker is mentioned in the constitution.

Elections Commission spokesman Asim Sattar said the run-off was rescheduled for Sunday, reports The Straits Times.

The commission days earlier had rejected a call by the candidates to move up the runoff, citing a lack of time and resources; however, it agreed to a plea from president Mohamed Waheed Hassan on Wednesday.

BDST: 2112 HRS, NOV 07, 2013
RoR/RIS