Ibrahim Mohamed Solih, the opposition coalition’s presidential candidate, has said that they have taken one step forward in their work but that more hurdles await them.

Speaking to the press at the airport on Saturday before leaving to Baa atoll, Solih confirmed that the Elections Commission (EC) has accepted his candidacy for September’s presidential election.

“I have received the document accepting me as a candidate. We have climbed one step. Our work in the future will be more numerous and difficult. But hopefully, we will win the presidential election on September 23 with the help of our supporters and the coalition.”

Solih said that senior members of the opposition coalition parties and former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom’s reform movement are joining him in his campaign trip to nine islands in Baa atoll and that he will be holding a huge campaign event in Thulhaadhoo.

He also said that the purpose of their trips to the islands is to hear the concerns of citizens and gather information for the opposition’s manifesto.