Voters in the Maldives were taking part Saturday in a third attempt at electing a president, hoping to put behind them two failed polls as a constitutional deadline approached, according to dpa. A first round of presidential elections was held in the island nation on September 7, which was due to be followed by a run-off vote, as none of the candidates secured the required 50 per cent. However, following a court order the results of the first round were annulled and a fresh election was set for October 19. Due to a dispute between rival political camps over voting lists, the election was cancelled. This time, all three parties contesting the election endorsed the electoral register. "Voting has commenced across the country and is in progress without major incidents," a spokesman for the Elections Commissioners office said. Former president and leader of the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), Mohamed Nasheed, Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) candidate Abdulla Yamin, and Jumhoory Party (JP) candidate Gasim Ibrahim are contesting the elections. Nasheed is the frontrunner, having secured 45 per cent of the vote in the September poll. Incumbent president Mohamed Waheed Hassan contested the first round in September, but received only 5 per cent of the vote and subsequently withdrew his candidacy. Voting times have been advanced by half an hour to help counting conclude early and proceed quickly to a second round run-off poll if required on Sunday, officials said. A new president needs to be in place by November 11, when, according to the constitution, the term of the incumbent president ends.
