Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) members are not protesting but merely giving out information to the public by accusing authorities of rigging the presidential election, says party council member Ahmed Sihdheeq.

At Saturday night’s PPM gathering, Sidheeq, who is a deputy minister at the home ministry, said that protesting is a basic right and can be exercised in any atoll island.

However, referring to President Yameen’s ban on protesting in Male’, Sidheeq said that their gathering in the capital city is not a protest and that they are merely giving out information on vote rigging.

PPM members have been gathering at their headquarters in Male’ every night after President Yameen urged his supporters to protest the election result after opposition candidate Ibrahim Mohamed Solih’s decisive win.