Maldives Supreme Court upholds president's vote defeat

The five-member court ruled that the election was conducted within the law

Maldives opposition supporters protest demanding the arrest of defeated President Abdulla Yameen as the Supreme Court of the Maldives began to hear a petition challenging the outcome of last's month election in Male, Maldives October 14, 2018. REUTERS/Ashwa Faheem
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The Maldives' top court has dismissed the outgoing president's petition seeking an annulment of last month's presidential election results.

The five-member Supreme Court ruled on Sunday that the election was conducted within the law. No other details were immediately known.

The Election Commission had declared opposition alliance candidate Ibrahim Mohamed Solih the winner of the September 23 election against President Yameen Abdul Gayoom.

Mr Yameen's party challenged the result, alleging vote rigging, fraud and corruption in the election process.

Four of the five members of the Election Commission fled after the election, citing intimidation by Yameen's supporters.

The Maldives, an Indian Ocean archipelago nation known for its luxury resorts, became a multiparty democracy in 2008.