Tanks and soldiers faced people protesting the postponed second round of elections in the Maldives on Thursday.
Photos from the city of Malé show police arresting protesters and armored vehicles on the streets.
The protesters are calling for a date for the presidential run-off. The country’s Supreme Court ordered the run-off--originally scheduled for Sept. 28--to be postponed.
The court made the decision during the night in a special session and told security forces to act against anyone who doesn’t obey orders, reported Reuters after the postponement.
“The Supreme Court has ordered security services to prevent any effort to hold the election tomorrow. This is why we are not able to hold the run-off election within the constitutional deadline of 21 days,” the country’s election commission said in a statement.
“Therefore voting will not take place on September 28, as the environment is not conducive to a free, fair and democratic election,” the statement said.
FormerPresident Mohamed Nasheed earned 45.45 percent of the vote in the first round, short of the 50 percent needed for outright victory.
He was going to face Abdulla Yameen, who came in second.
Nasheed’s Democratic Party announced mass protests after the ruling.
