MALE (REUTERS) - The Maldives Supreme Court on Monday annulled the results of the Sept 7 presidential election and scheduled a fresh vote by Oct 20, after a candidate challenged the outcome, citing irregularities.

Four of seven judges approved the decision after the top court suspended the run-off election that was to have been held on Sept 28.

Mr Mohamed Nasheed, the country's first democratically elected president, who was ousted in disputed circumstances in February 2012, won the Sept 7 first round with 45.45 per cent of votes, short of the 50 per cent needed for outright victory.