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The United States on Monday expressed "deep concern" about a decision by Maldivian President Mohamed Waheed Hassan to remain in office past the expiry of his term at midnight on Sunday.
"The United States government is deeply concerned by President Waheed's unprecedented decision to remain past the legal mandate of his presidency, which ended on Nov. 10," State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki said in a statement.
"This action has endangered the Maldivian people's right to elect a leader of their choice," she added.
In an address to the nation on Sunday evening, Waheed announced his decision to stay on as president until his successor is sworn in, despite international calls for an interim arrangement.
The presidential polls on Saturday failed to produce a clear winner, and the Maldivian Supreme Court on Sunday put off the runoff until Nov. 16, as it ruled on Saturday that Waheed could remain as a caretaker.
The Maldivian Democratic Party, whose candidate and the country 's former President Mohamed Nasheed took the lead in Saturday's election, had warned that the country could be heading for a constitutional crisis without a leader.
"The democratic process must be supported by quickly concluding a free, fair, transparent and inclusive runoff election that results in the prompt inauguration of the new president," Psaki said in her statement.
"In the lead up to the Nov. 16 second round vote, it is important to avoid violence and for the police and military to show restraint and respect the human rights of all Maldivian citizens," she added.
The Maldivians first went to the polls on Sept. 7, in which Nasheed emerged as the winner, but the result was annulled later by the Supreme Court after a candidate claimed large-scale vote rigging. Two candidates' refusal to sign the electoral lists led to fresh polls, first slated for Oct. 19.
Waheed came into power after controversially ousting Nasheed in February 2012. Nasheed called the move a coup.
