Maldives security forces ordered to enforce postponement of election
Judges order tough security measures to uphold constitution as islands' election chief pledges to proceed with today's presidential run-off poll
The honeymoon Maldive Islands were plunged into a potentially volatile election crisis yesterday after the Supreme Court ordered security forces to take action against anyone who violates the constitution.
The order came after the islands' election chief vowed to proceed with a presidential vote today in defiance of a Supreme Court ruling.
Six out of seven Supreme Court judges ruled on Thursday that the court's earlier order on Monday to postpone the run-off election should be upheld. The court also told security forces to "stop any individual from disobeying" the postponement.
"Since it is stated clearly (in the constitution), it is illegal to disobey or challenge a Supreme Court order within the jurisdiction of the Maldives," it said.
The run-off vote is being delayed after a complaint of voting irregularities from the losing party. But supporters of the election front runner, former president Mohamed Nasheed, accuse the court of being stacked with cronies of the autocratic regime that preceded him.
Amid increasing international pressure on the government to push ahead with a run-off, the election commissioner, Fuwad Thowfeek, said on Thursday the Supreme Court had no right to override the constitution, which stipulates that a run-off vote must be held within three weeks of the first round of voting.