EU asks Maldivian authorities not to delay presidential runoff election after court decision

COLOMBO, Sri Lanka – The European Union has called on authorities in the Maldives not to delay a presidential runoff after the Supreme Court postponed the election indefinitely following a complaint of alleged irregularities.

Catherine Ashton, the EU's high representative, said that the "international community recognized the outcome of the first round as inclusive and credible, and considered that it reflected the will of the Maldivian people."

The Maldives Supreme Court postponed the runoff election indefinitely on Monday after the third-place finisher sought an annulment of the result, saying the voter's registry contained the names of dead or imaginary people.

The runoff was scheduled for Sept. 28 between the country's first democratically elected leader and brother of its longtime autocrat.