Ali Niyaz, the deputy chairperson of Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), has said that the opposition’s opponent is the Elections Commission (EC), not President Abdulla Yameen.

Niyaz said this at the opening of an MDP campaign site in Hulhumale’ on Thursday night.

At the ceremony, Niyaz said that the opposition coalition parties have to overcome the obstructions placed ahead of the presidential election by the five members of the EC.

Niyaz said that in order to the ensure an independent and fair election, the Joint Opposition will ‘to the last minute’ be working to replace the current EC membership with members who can make way for a free and fair election.

He also said that the Joint Opposition are currently working to help over 45,000 Maldivians re-register to vote in September’s election and expressed confidence that the citizens will encourage the work of the MDP campaign sites established across the country.

Senior opposition leaders were present during the opening of the “island re-registration” campaign site in Hulhumale’ on Thursday.