Maldives officials refuse to move up revote date

MALE, Maldives (AP) Maldives officials on Monday rejected a proposal by the country's presidential candidates to hold a revote of a much troubled election before the incumbent's term ends in order to avoid a possible constitutional crisis.

The three candidates in a rare instance of agreement proposed that the elections commission move up its third attempt at holding the vote so it takes place before Nov. 11 when President Mohamed Waheed Hassan's term ends.

Candidate Mohamed Nasheed said Commissioner Fuwad Thoufeek rejected the proposal, citing a lack of time and resources.

The country's Supreme Court earlier this month annulled a Sept. 7 election and ordered a revote, which was canceled after police intervened. The conflict stems from allegations from Nasheed's two rival candidates, Yaamin Abdul Gayoom and Qasim Ibrahim, that the voters' register contained imaginary names and those of dead people.

The Elections Commission set the revote for Nov. 9 and if no clear winner emerges a runoff election will be held Nov. 16 five days after the presidential term ends.

Hassan says he will not stay in office beyond his term and asked Parliament to decide who will be in charge of the country if there is no clear winner Nov 9. Lawmakers have so far failed to reach a unanimous decision.

Maldives has faced much upheaval in the five years since it held its first multiparty election in 2008 after 30 years of autocratic rule.

Nasheed was elected president but resigned last year amid public protests and sliding support from the military and police due to his order to arrest a top judge. An inquiry commission rejected his allegation that he was ousted in a coup, but the country has been in political turmoil ever since.

Hassan who was Nasheed's deputy, took over the presidency.