Fresh date for Maldives polls to be announced as protests erupt in capital

A fresh date for a third round of polling for the Maldives presidential elections is likely to be announced later on Saturday after the Elections Commission and the government agreed on a new date, an official told local media in the backdrop of protests. Maldives Defence Minister Mohammad Nazim told reporters that a date was agreed after a meeting was held between outgoing President Mohamed Waheed and members of the elections commission. Nazim has been appointed as the government's representative for the elections. "Elections commission will announce a date later tonight,"the minister told local media outlet Haveeru. "I will also invite the presidential candidates to meet me tonight." The meeting between Elections Commissioner Fuad Thaufeeg and President Waheed took place as protests erupted across the capital city of Male condemning the cancellation of a second round of polling. Former President Nasheed staged a sit-in while his protestors condemned the police and rival parties for delaying the vote. President Waheed had earlier urged all parties and the elections commission to find a way to hold the elections on Oct. 26. A previous round of polling on Sept. 7 was annulled by the Supreme Court after candidates alleged large scale vote rigging. According to the President's Office, President Waheed is fully committed to holding a free, fair and inclusive election. "The president calls on the Elections Commission to consult with the candidates, and find a way forward to have the election as early as possible preferably on Oct. 26, 2013,"the president' s office said. "The president urges all three candidates and political parties to find a solution to the current disagreement." Last minute attempts by Maldives Elections Commissioner Fuad Thaufeek to hold elections on Saturday morning were thwarted, he said, by police who withdrew assistance to distribute ballot papers and boxes across 200 islands effectively stopping the polling. Meanwhile, Indian External Affairs Ministry has expressed deep disappointment that the repeat first round of the presidential elections were not held as scheduled and that the elections commission was not allowed to proceed with holding elections as per its constitutional mandate. "India and the international community have been closely watching the developments in Maldives and are seriously concerned about the attempts to stall the democratic process," the statement said. They called for the speedy resolution of the standoff and assist the Elections Commission to hold polls. The Maldives has only 14 more days to elect a president before the constitutional deadline of Nov. 11.