The opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has accused the government of offering bribes to candidates to withdraw from the April 4 local council elections.

At a press conference yesterday (February 3), MDP spokesperson for the campaign, Abdulla Waheed said the Elections Commission (EC) has not yet announced the timeline for the election.

"This period is to give the government time to pressure candidates to withdraw their names," Waheed alleged.

He said the EC should clearly state a deadline for withdrawing nominations and called on the commission to disclose the timeline for the election. He also called for the re-registration process to start as soon as possible.

"They are already pressuring candidates to withdraw by making big offers. The PNC [People's National Congress] has some information that the EC has not disclosed," he said.

Both the ruling PNC and MDP are currently campaigning for the elections.

The April 4 polls will elect members to local councils and WDCs from 225 constituencies. A total of 621 polling stations will be set up for the election.