In the wake of the Maldivian Supreme Court annulling the results of the first phase of presidential polls, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has called on Male to ensure an inclusive and credible process for a fresh vote scheduled to be held again later this month.

The country’s Supreme Court has annulled the results of the first round of polls, which had been held on September 7 and has called for a new vote.

“The Secretary General takes note of the Maldivian Supreme Court’s decision ordering fresh presidential elections to be held within a new time-frame,” Ban’s spokesperson said in a statement.

Ban “once again calls on all Maldivians to ensure a peaceful, inclusive and credible process for these elections.”

The spokesperson said Ban “acknowledges the continuing efforts by the Election Commission of the Maldives’’.

The commission has announced that a revote will be held on October 19. The election had been seen as an important step in the country’s democratic transition.

The Maldives underwent a change of government in 2012, when the previous democratically elected President Mohamed Nasheed had resigned.

He was succeeded by his former deputy Mohammed Waheed Hassan. The apex court ruling is seen as a major blow to Nasheed who had emerged as the winner in the first round.

The court had late last month suspended the presidential elections following a legal challenge, sparking protests and fears of fresh instability in the troubled Indian Ocean archipelago.

The directive came in response to a case filed by a political party demanding that the results of the first round on September 7 be annulled because of alleged discrepancies.

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