Thousands of protesters gathered on Majeedhee Magu to sing, smoke sheesha, barbecue, play cards and declare their desire to exercise their democratic right to vote.

They also gathered to listen to their presidential candidate Mohamed Nasheed, who gave a rousing speech to his supporters.

“I assure you, we will not step back. They can beat us. They can arrest us, but this ideology cannot be erased. We will establish good governance in the Maldives,” he said.

Click here to for pictures of yesterday’s demonstration