Maldives presidential race front-runner demands resignation of incumbent preside

Former President Mohammad Nasheed, the front-runner of Maldives long-drawn-out presidential race, has asked the incumbent president to resign and make way for a fresh replacement.

Nasheed, who scored 46.93 percent of the vote in Saturday's first round election, was to face former President Abdul Gayoom's half-brother Abdulla Yameen in a second round runoff scheduled on Sunday.

However, just hours ahead of voting the Supreme Court blocked the runoff once again and ordered it to be held on Nov. 16.

According to the Maldives Constitution, a new president has to be sworn in on Nov. 11, but the Supreme Court on Sunday also ordered that current President Waheed remain in power until a new president is elected.

"If there is an election under President Waheed it would be unconstitutional and it will be difficult. We hope that he resigns tomorrow (Monday) and we are seeking for an election where the Speaker of Parliament will be appointed as the Head of State and he will oversee a transition of power," Nasheed told reporters.