The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP)'s banners to rally support for a gathering announced for October 3 has been removed from across the capital Male' city.

Housing Development Corporation (HDC) removed banners from Hulhumale' while the Male' city council, with police assistance, removed banners from the remaining districts of the city.

HDC said the banners were removed because MDP had not obtained permission to put them up.

Banners were also removed from Hulhumale'.

Meanwhile, Mayor Adam Azim and Deputy Mayor Mohamed Areesh are currently out of the country on an official visit.

Councillor for Hulhumale' Ali Aiman, who is in charge of the council, said they decided to remove the banners because MDP had not obtained permission.

"The city council sent a letter to the MDP. They have been putting up banners without permission. If you want to put banners across streets, you have to get permission. They have not asked for permission," he said.

Aiman added that the council's majority ruled in favour of removing the banners.

But MDP Deputy Chairperson Ibrahim Waheed told Adhadhu that the party had applied for permission from the Male' City Council on September 14.

The banners had slogans against government corruption, financial instability and unfulfilled pledges.

The main opposition party has been conducting a series of activities in preparation for the October 3 gathering.