The police service reportedly did not confiscate items at the opposition’s rally this Friday.

Officers usually take away items at the “tea party” rallies, held every Friday at Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)’s campaign hall near the Artificial Beach. But the last rally had been left untouched.

At the gathering, speakers expressed their belief that self-exiled Former President Mohamed Nasheed, MDP’s de-facto leader, will be able to run in the 2018 presidential election. Some MDP members have said they will do “whatever it takes” to make Nasheed the candidate of the opposition coalition.

Others have vowed to begin Nasheed’s campaign “in MDP style” next year, and called on coalition members to establish campaign halls in the islands.

Food items for the rally had been arranged on the pavement next to the campaign hall. Officers had taken photos of it and left, and the rally had continued peacefully.