Majority of Maldivians want the opposition to work together "even in the presidential election," says Ali Zahir

Vice President of the opposition Adhaalath Party has said that majority of the people want the opposition to work together "even in the presidential elections".

Ali Zahir made the comment while speaking at an opposition gathering on Wednesday night.

While the Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) and Jumhooree Party (JP) have called for the opposition to back a single candidate in the elections next year, Zahir said that the opposition "has the capability to do so".

Noting that "it is not the opposition that will decide whether President Abdulla Yameen's running mate will be First Lady Fathimath Ibrahim or Economic Minister Mohamed Saeed," Ali Zahir said that the government does not have a say on who they choose as their candidate.

Zahir further noted that what we are seeing in Maldives today "is a dictatorship" and that the so-called independent institutions "are there for show".

Noting that President Yameen's government "is weakening," Zahir added that the government is facing backlash "from all angles". He emphasized that even the religious scholars have now started expressing sentiments against the government.