The Maldives Supreme Court has suspended a presidential election run-off, after protests from a candidate.
On Saturday, ex-President Mohamed Nasheed polled nearly 47 percent, just short of the 50 percent needed for victory.
The second round was to have taken place on Sunday, but the runner-up Abdulla Yameen sought a delay, saying he needed time to campaign afresh.
According to the BBC, Nasheed has been seeking to regain power after he was forced to resign in 2012, sparking a political crisis.
This is the third time the presidential elections have been derailed.
A vote on 7 September was annulled by the Supreme Court after one candidate, Gasim Ibrahim, alleged irregularities, despite observer groups deeming the vote free and fair, the report said.
The Supreme Court has ruled that the run-off cannot take place and ought to be delayed by six days.
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The court said the Sunday run-off might have 'undermined the constitutional rights of many people'.
The SC agreed with Yameen's assertion that he needs more time to campaign.
According to the report, the suspension of Sunday's voting means there cannot be a new president by the constitutional deadline of 11 November, when the term of current president Mohamed Waheed Hassan ends.