Main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has appointed Mahchangoalhi-North constituency MP Mariya Didi as the official spokesperson for its 2018 presidential campaign.

Her appointment was announced by the party's deputy chairperson (administrative) Ali Niyaz at press conference on Wednesday evening.

MP Mariya was present at the said press conference as well, and informed that she will be providing details of their campaign activities to the media.

She noted that their campaign is already being hindered by authorities, highlighting that police officers are being used to vandalize their campaign posters.

While MDP's national congress has selected Hinnavaru constituency MP Ibrahim Mohamed Solih as its presidential candidate, the party's primary was won by its leader, former President Mohamed Nasheed. However, citing the Elections Commission insistence that he will not be allowed to contest in the election, Nasheed had withdrawn from the race and asked the party's national congress to select a candidate.

Referring to Nasheed, MP Mariya said that the party had previously elected a "virtuous" candidate and added that Solih was such as well.

Furthermore, MP Mariya said that she does not believe that there is a conducive environment for a free and fair election in the country, adding that this is because preferred candidates are not being given the opportunity to contest in the election.