20 held for showing ballot slip in Maldives

More than 20 people were arrested Saturday in the Maldives for showing their ballot slips after casting their vote in the presidential run-off, a media report said.

As many as 23 people have been arrested from various polling stations for displaying their mark on the ballot slips which is a criminal offence under law, haveeru online reported.

Police said that voting in most polling stations during the early hours was without any untoward incident.

The country is witnessing its second round of presidential elections in which opposition leader and former president Mohamed Nasheed is pitted against Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) presidential candidate Abdulla Yamin.