Former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has expressed concern over the government's obstruction of the People's National Front's (PNF) inaugural congress.
Solih said in a post on X that the government's attempt to prevent members from attending the inaugural meeting for the new party's formation was a cause for serious concern.
"The right to form political parties, to peaceful assembly and to have dissenting views from those in power are guaranteed to all of us by the constitution. They are not privileges granted to us at the pleasure of any one individual in power," he wrote.
"These rights should be defended and protected as they remain important cornerstones of a thriving open society."
The PNF inaugural congress was due to take place at the privately-operated Ghiyasuddin school last night but police obstructed the event. The congress was held later with the city council's permission at the surf point area in Male'.
Fayyaz Ismail, the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party's (MDP) chairperson, also expressed concern in a post on X over last night's incident and alleged undue government influence.
"Greatly concerned with the current government's pressure on Elections Commission, private schools and the Maldives Police Force to forcefully disrupt and stop the formation of the PNF by former President Abdulla Yameen," he tweeted.
"[President] Dr. [Mohamed] Muizzu should not be afraid to allow the formations of political rivals. We fear that this will be the modus operandi of this inept government going forwards. Please do not derail the Constitution and the laws."
