Opposition had to bring in people from the islands as the youth refused to partake in gathering: President

President Abdulla Yameen has stated that the Joint Opposition was forced to bring in people from the outlying islands for its big gathering on Saturday night 'as the youth refused to partake in it'.

Speaking at a ruling party campaign gathering held in Laamu atoll Fonadhoo island on Saturday night, President Yameen said that his administration has always prioritized youth, adding that he has always paved convenient ways for the youth. As such, President Yameen highlighted that his administration has created over 100,000 job opportunities for the youth. While the President has made this assertion, the government has stated different amounts of job opportunities on separate occasions with the opposition claiming that the government has not created said amount of jobs for citizens.

The President went on to assert that the opposition had brought in residents from outlying atolls because youth of capital city Male’ did not wish to partake in the opposition gathering.

“The youth believes that my administration has made their future brighter” said President Yameen.

Thousands attended Saturday night's opposition rally, perceivably more than the crowd gathered at the ruling Progressive Party of the Maldives (PPM) gathering held on the previous night. The opposition has not been able to hold such a gathering in the capital since 2015.

While the President has claimed that the opposition coalition had brought in residents from the outlying atolls for their gathering, reports have it that the ruling party coerces state employees to show up at ruling party gatherings and partake in their campaign activities if they wish to keep their jobs.

While uthorities had on Saturday evening, halted the bus service from Hulhumale’ to Male’, the opposition describes it as an attemept to create complications for those coming from the capital’s suburban extension.