Fears of annulment loom large over Maldives prez polls

The Supreme Court on Monday had admitted plea of Jumhooree Party to annul the elections

Former President Mohammed Nasheed-led Maldivian Democratic Party today sought reconvening of the Parliament, fearing annulment by the Supreme Court of the first round of presidential elections in which he emerged as the front-runner for the top job.

The controversy erupted after Supreme Court admitted a plea filed by the Jumhooree Party (JP) to annul presidential polls held on September 7 alleging irregularities.

Nasheed, 46, won the elections with over 45 per cent of votes but missed crucial half-way mark resulting in a second round of contest, scheduled on September 28, with runner-up Abdullah Yameen of the Progressive Party of Maldives.

Jumhooree Party's candidate business tycoon Gasim Ibrahim missed the second round by a whisker with 24.07 per cent votes as compared to 25.35 per cent votes of runner-up Yameen.

In a meeting held today, MDP's national executive committee asked parliamentary group to call for parliament sittings to stop "undue influence of political parties in the judiciary," Minivan News reported.

"We will not allow a courthouse that consists of some disgraced judges who face allegations of lewd conduct to abrogate the will of the people and disrupt the constitution," MDP's statement was quoted as saying.

The Supreme Court had yesterday admitted plea of Jumhooree Party to annul the elections. This appeal has been supported by the PPM citing concerns about the election results.

JP's candidate Ibrahim had been a member of Judicial Services Commission, a judicial oversight panel.

Meanwhile, UN Resident Coordinator in the Maldives, Tony Lisle, issued a statement today asking all the candidates "to respect the results" of the first round.