EC rejects candidates

Elections Commission has rejected a joint proposal by all three presidential candidates to hold the election on 2 November 2013.

Former president Mohamed Nasheed, Abdulla Yameen and Gasim Ibrahim made the proposition at a meeting with the Elections Commission at the commission headquarters this morning.

Following the meeting, the candidates told the press that the Elections Commission did not agree to bring the election forward, but said that they will work to clear hurdles faced by the commission to hold the election sooner. They still hope for an earlier election, the candidates said.

Abdulla Yameen said the candidates have agreed to hold new joint discussions and to approach the Elections Commission again, at a later date.

The candidates met and agreed on Sunday night to propose for the first round of the election to be held on 2 November, and the second round on 9 November.

The first round is currently scheduled for 9 November and the second round, if necessary, on 16 November.