Maldives presidential candidates agree to hold delayed polls on Saturday

All three Maldives presidential candidates have agreed to hold presidential elections a week early on 2 November to avoid a Constitutional void, local media reported here on Monday. The three presidential candidates have agreed to propose to the Elections Commission (EC) to hold the first round of the presidential election on 2 November, and to hold the second round on 9 November. Previously the first round was to be held on 9 November with the second round run-off tabled for 16 November if necessary. However, if a new president does not take over on 11 November as specified in the Maldives Constitution, there will be a Constitutional void and the Speaker of Parliament will have to take over and oversee a transition of power. Presidential candidate of Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) Abdulla Yameen, presidential candidate of Jumhooree Party (JP) Gasim Ibrahim, and presidential candidate of Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) Mohamed Nasheed spoke to the media after a meeting on Sunday night. Former President Nasheed who is the frontrunner said that they agreed to visit the Elections Commission to make this proposition, on Monday morning. "We hope that the first round can be held on Saturday, and that the second round can be held before 11 November," said Nasheed. He said that the three candidates also agreed that the problems with the voters' list can be solved through dialogue. Speaking to reporters, Yameen said, "we hope that the second round can be held on 9 November, and that the elected president can take oath on 11 November. We will meet with Elections Commission and do everything possible to ensure this." Yameen also said that the three candidates agreed to make suggestions to the commission regarding making the voters' list credible. He said that they will also propose to the commission to expedite the verification of the re-registration forms. Gasim said that all three candidates agreed that the country will not be peaceful unless the election is conducted in a manner accepted by all citizens. Elections Commission scheduled the first round of the presidential election for 9 November, and said that 9 November is the earliest they can make the preparations for the election. This is the third attempt being made to hold presidential elections in the Maldives. The first round held on 7 September was annulled by the Supreme Court after third placed candidate Gasim alleged large scale vote rigging despite international monitors saying the poll was free and fair. Yamin also supported Gasim in the allegations. A second round that was to have been held on 19 October was stopped just hours ahead of voting by the police who refused to assist the Elections Commission to distribute ballot papers and ballot boxes to some 200 islands after Gasim and Yamin refused to sign-off on an all-important voter's list.