HDC says opposition needs 'a permit' to put up campaign banners

Officials at Housing Development Corporation (HDC) prevented the opposition from putting up banners in the capital's reclaimed suburb Hulhumalé on Monday night, saying that needed a permit to do so.

While they were trying to put up banners in Hulhumalé's Nirolhu Road- which is connected to the road to Velana International Airport- late Monday night, three supervisors from HDC prevented them from doing so.

They were informed that a permit is required to put up banners there, but failed to provide a regulation under which they are required to acquire a permit to put up banners.

Deputy Chairperson of main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP), Ali Niyaz said that they had attempted to call HDC to clarify details of the required permit. However, he questioned the purpose of this as opposition's Ibrahim Mohamed Solih's candidacy has been accepted by the Elections Commission, authorizing him to conduct campaign activities.

A bystander told RaajjeMV that a police vehicle arrived at the area 'shortly after the HDC officials arrived there and threatened to stop them'.

While a number of opposition supporters have taken to social media to voice their discontent over the matter, they describe this as an attack on the rights guaranteed under the Constitution. In addition, the roads of capital Malé City have been filled with ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) flags, which the party claims were not put up by them 'rather by supporters'.