Opposition permitted to hold rally in capital’s carnival area

The main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party has been permitted to hold its first rally in three years in the capital’s carnival area, local media reported.

The Housing Ministry informed the MDP Monday it was allowed to use the location this Saturday between 4pm and midnight.

Previous MDP requests to book the area and the Dharubaaruge convention centre have been ignored, with only the ruling Progressive Party of the Maldives using it for political activities.

SunOnline reported opposition presidential candidate Ibrahim Mohamed Solih as saying the party had repeatedly asked for a Friday slot but was told that “until the end of the presidential elections all Fridays have been booked for the PPM.” He said the party then asked for time on a Saturday or a Thursday.

The  PPM is planning to hold a rally this Friday in the carnival area.

File photo showing MDP supporters