Opposition presidential candidate Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has submitted his candidacy papers with the Elections Commission on Thursday, for the 2018 presidential elections.

Commission president Ahmed Shareef accepted Solih's candidacy papers and said that they will formally announce whether his candidacy can be accepted on Saturday.

Solih was accompanied by his running mate, Jumhooree Party's Faisal Naseem, along with members of the opposition parties including senior officials.

Opposition's senior officials and members first gathered in front of main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)'s office in the capital at around 10 in the morning, before 'peacefully' marching to the Elections office. This is the first time the opposition was allowed to do so in recent history, with no police interference.

While the opposition parties comprise of MDP, Jumhooree Party, Adhaalath Party and former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom's breakaway faction of the ruling party, members were carrying flags that represented all four parties including one with 'MRM' which stands for 'Maumoon Reform Movement'.

The opposition decided to field a common candidate for the long-awaited elections, choosing Solih from MDP as a candidate and JP's Naseem as his running mate.