Maldives Holds Fresh Presidential Polls Sat Nov 09,2013

 

According to the Maldives constitution, a new president has to be in place by November 11,2013 when the current presidential term ends

Voters in the Maldives are going to the polls to elect a president after two previous attempts failed.

Candidates came to a last-minute agreement earlier this week to agree and sign the voter lists required for the election to take place
 
Voting got underway at 475 polling booths across the Maldives and several foreign capitals where Maldivians live," Elections Commission official Aishath Reema told

Polling for long-delayed presidential elections in Maldives began on Saturday as the archipelago nation made third attempt to elect a new President in order to avert a constitutional crisis.

People stood in long queues outside 475 ballot stations to cast their franchise for the second time after first elections held on 7th September were annulled by the Supreme Court in Male citing irregularities in voters' list.

According to the Election Commission, 239,105 voters are eligible to cast their votes in Maldives and abroad voting stations

Presidential Candidates are -

Mohamed Nasheed - Madivian Democratic Party

Abdullah Yameen -Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM)

Gasim Ibrahim -Jumhooree Party

Note
Mohammed Nasheed, won the country's first-ever democratic vote in 2008, ousting Maumoon Abdul Gayoom, who ran the country autocratically for three decades.

Mohamed Nasheed was forced from office in February 2012 in what he has described as a coup. Mohamed Waheed, who succeeded him, claims Mohamed Nasheed resigned of his own accord in the face of opposition demonstrations

In a vote on Sep 07,2013 Mohamed Nasheed led with 45% of the vote, while Abdullah Yameen and
Gasim Ibrahim trailed with 25% and 24% respectively.

That vote was annulled by the Supreme Court after Gasim Ibrahim alleged irregularities, despite observer groups deeming the vote free and fair

On Oct 19,2013 the planned re-run of vote is stopped by police

On Nov 06,2013 Candidates agree to sign voter lists and take part in elections

Election officials count votes after polling for presidential polls closed in Male, Maldives on Saturday

Maldives SC Puts-Off Presidential Run-Off

The Maldives Supreme Court ordered the postponement of a presidential runoff election scheduled for Sunday Nov 10,2013, one day after the first round failed elect a clear winner, election officials said

The runoff was scheduled to be held between former president Mohamed Nasheed, who won 47 % of the ballots Saturday, and Abdulla Yameen, a brother of the island nation’s autocratic former ruler, who won 30 % of the vote.

The Supreme Court ruled that the consecutive days of elections would be impractical, and set Sat November 16,2013 for the runoff.

Voting begins in Maldives presidential run-off Saturday Nov 16,2013

Voting in the runoff presidential polls began at 7.30 am across the Maldives and abroad. 

The Maldives on Saturday Nov 16,2013 began voting in the second round of the controversy-ridden presidential election as ousted leader Mohamed Nasheed faces a run-off against his closest rival, with the poll being held under global pressure to elect a new leader and end months of political turmoil. 

After an annulled result and two cancelled polls, foreign diplomats increasingly viewed delays as politically motivated and the European Union warned of “appropriate measures” if the present election fails. 

Early voters queued up outside polling stations across the island-nation as it staged the second round of the much delayed election in a bid to choose a new president amidst a constitutional crisis. 

Facing heightened international pressure, President Mohamed Waheed had stepped down on the eve of the polls and left the country on Friday Nov 15,2013 

Mohamed Waheed, who took office when the first democratically elected President Nasheed resigned under duress in February 2012, had been under pressure from India and western powers to step down after his tenure ended on November 10,2013