Today was a small step forward in our reform work, says Maldives' opposition candidate

After submitting his candidacy for the upcoming presidential elections, opposition candidate Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has said that 'this was a small a step forward in [our] reform work'.

Solih submitted his candidacy papers to Elections Commissioner Ahmed Shareef on Thursday morning, after walking to the office located in the Maafannu ward of the capital city with a large group of opposition members, from the Henveiru ward.

Speaking afterwards, Solih said that they have 'taken a step forward in the reform work launched to ensure the independence and rights of the people on this special day the country marks its 53rd Independence Day'.

While Solih said this, the large group of opposition members were allowed to walk through the streets of the capital Malé City for the first time in recent history, without any police interference.

Noting that they have 'a lot of hardships ahead', Solih said that the opposition will emerge victorious in the elections despite this.

In addition, Solih said that he had shared concerns regarding the upcoming polls with Commissioner Shareef, who he said assured him that ballot boxes will only be placed in the locations that the Commission has already announced. There have been reports of attempts to place additional boxes in government offices.

While the Joint Opposition comprises of Maldivian Democratic Party, Jumhooree Party, Adhaalath Party and former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom's breakaway faction of the ruling party, they have decided to field a common candidate for the elections, choosing Solih from Maldivian Democratic Party as a candidate and Jumhooree Party's Fasial Naseem as his running mate.