Maldives ex-president says incumbent president will do anything to disrupt upcoming election

Opposition leader and former President Mohamed Nasheed has said that incumbent President Abdulla Yameen will resort to anything to tighten his hold on power and disrupt the upcoming presidential elections.

Earlier on Saturday evening, a Facebook page of Defence Minister Adam Shareef said that the military and police are on alert amid reports of 'threats to national security'.

Noting that the defence ministry has made such an announcement, the self-exiled former president said via twitter said that President Yameen is resorting to 'intimidation, threats, bribery and now rumours of plots'.

Nasheed added that he is doing this to disrupt elections due to lack of 'genuine support'.

With the country less than 50 days away from the presidential elections, such a message from the military head has led to public panic and scrutiny- especially regarding the manner in which it was announced.