UN chief calls for peaceful new presidential elections in Maldives

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki- moon on Tuesday called for "peaceful, inclusive and credible" presidential elections in the Maldives as he took note of the revote to be held "within a new time frame." "The secretary-general takes note of the Maldivian Supreme Court's decision ordering fresh presidential elections to be held within a new time frame," said a statement issued here by Ban's spokesman. "He also acknowledges the continuing efforts by the Elections Commission of the Maldives." "The secretary-general once again calls on all Maldivians to ensure a peaceful, inclusive and credible process for these elections," the statement said. The Maldivian Supreme Court on Monday annulled the results of the first round of presidential election which was held on Sept. 7, and ordered a new election by Oct. 20. Former President Mohammed Nasheed won the first round of presidential election with 45.45 percent of the vote but fell short of the 50 percent required to avoid a run-off. The Supreme Court later suspended the run-off vote while it heard a petition into allegations of electoral fraud by resort tycoon Qasim Ibrahim, who finished a close third. International observers monitoring the Maldives presidential election, including those from the United Nations and the Commonwealth, have termed the election as free and fair.