Election under Waheed will not be legitimate: Nasheed

Former Maldivian president Mohammed Nasheed today said it would be "unlawful" to take part in an election held under President Mohamed Waheed if he chooses to stay beyond his term which ends tonight.
In yesterday's crucial re-vote, Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) chief Nasheed emerged a winner but failed to clinch 50 per cent of the votes to avoid a run-off.
The presidential run-off was due to take place today but the Indian Ocean island nation's top court delayed it until November 16 in a pre-dawn ruling.
Speaking to the media for the first time after yesterday's presidential election, Nasheed said the constitution dictates that the presidency will expire at midnight tonight and that an election held with Waheed as president will not be legitimate.

"Dr Waheed, my vice president, will not continue as president. I believe that he stayed in power to maintain a government we formed together. Constitution clearly states the government will end. Partaking in an election with Waheed as president will be taking part in an unlawful election," Nasheed was quoted as saying by the Sun.
The Supreme Court yesterday ruled that outgoing President Waheed can remain as a caretaker till his successor is elected.

Nasheed said the Speaker of the Parliament must take over the presidential powers after the constitutional deadline ends and Maldives must conduct its next election under the control of the Speaker.

He said that after November 11, the permanent secretaries in government ministry will have too seek directives from the Speaker of the Parliament.
"I have spoken with the President of the Civil Service Commission. I have also spoken with the Speaker of the Parliament. I hope that the Civil Service Commission and the parliament will communicate and work out a way to run the government," Nasheed said.
Regarding the election, Nasheed said that it is important to the Maldivian people have the certainty that an election will be conducted on the next election date.
"We must next go to the polls with a guarantee that the election will be held, and that the State will have an executive through the election," Nasheed said.