The ruling party is not responsible for and did not provide any support to put up their flag over multiple roads in capital city Malé, according to deputy leader Abdul Raheem Abdulla.

The Fonadhoo constituency lawmaker said this at a conference held by the Progressive Party of Maldives’ faction loyal to incumbent President Abdulla Yameen.

At the conference, Raheem absolved the party of any responsibility for the act and insisted that it was likely organized and carried out by their supporters, independent from the party.

RaajjeMV asked the parliamentarian if they had sought permission from authorities before hanging the flags, to which he said he believes ‘they were drawn up by our young supporters’.

The issue of the flags has been a point of concern as similar ones hung by opposition parties in the out lying islands are routinely removed, sometimes with the support of the police.

The issue garnered especial attention as the Maldives Police Service released an official advisory asking political parties to refrain from putting up banners and flags – such as the ones hung by the ruling party – in ways that block security cameras set up across the capital city.