DHAKA: The Maldives Supreme Court on Monday annulled the results of the September 7 presidential election and scheduled a fresh vote by October 20, after a candidate challenged the outcome, citing irregularities.

Four of seven judges approved the decision after the top court suspended the run-off election that was to have been held on September 28, The Straits Times publishes this report on Tuesday.

Mohamed Nasheed, the country’s first democratically elected president, who was ousted in disputed circumstances in February 2012, won the September 7 first round with 45.45 percent of votes, short of the 50 percent needed for outright victory.

BDST: 1831 HRS, OCT 08, 2013
RoR/RK