The opposition Jumhooree Party (JP) has begun proceedings for its third congress assembly. 

The congress is being held at the Paradise Island Resort, a resort outlet owned by the party's founder Qasim Ibrahim. RaajjeMV understands that the state had refused to grant permission to rent any public property to hold the event. 

The congress will have officials elected to thirty positions in the party. 

The party said that over 400 individuals are in attendance at the congress, which includes senior officials and lawmakers of the Maldivian Democratic Party, one of JP's partners in the Joint Opposition. 

The congress is being held during reports of dispute between parties in the Joint Opposition.

While prominent Adhaalath Party member Shidhatha Shareef said that such disputes are 'natural', she insisted that the coalition will put forth a single candidate for the upcoming elections. 

The Maldivian Democratic Party's presidential candidate is former president Mohamed Nasheed, who publically declared his dedication to a unified coalition government. JP's Qasim Ibrahim has done the same.