MDP postpones rally planned for 17 November
The decision was made during the party’s national assembly meeting held on Thursday night.
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The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has decided to postpone its rally originally planned for 17 November.
The decision was made during the party’s national assembly meeting held on Thursday night. The meeting, chaired by MDP Vice-Chairman Ibrahim Waheed, concluded that the rally would be postponed, though a new date has not been announced.
Waheed said the government had obstructed the party’s preparations by removing promotional banners and refusing permission for the event. The MDP also alleged that some of its leaders were being accused of corruption and that relevant institutions were being used to prevent the rally from taking place.
The MDP had previously held a protest on 3 October, presenting several demands to the government. At the time, party officials stated that if those demands were not met, a larger protest would be held on 17 November.
During the October demonstration, eight people—including two former MDP MPs—were arrested. Six were released after 15 days in detention. Police had used force to disperse the protest, including the use of pepper spray and sonic devices. The protest was dispersed after participants attempted to march along Majeedhee Magu against police instructions.
The MDP has not yet announced when it intends to hold the postponed rally.
