The ruling People's National Congress (PNC) candidates will only follow President Mohamed Muizzu's order without regard to the law, former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has warned.

Speaking at a gathering of the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) in Lhaviyani Naifaru, Solih said MDP candidates will work for the people in accordance with the law.

Noting that the only difference between the MDP and PNC candidates is the policies they are pursuing, Solih warned that the PNC government will not implement the decentralization system.

"The real problem is the policies. Not the candidates. There is a problem of policies rather than candidates. Decentralization cannot be implemented with a PNC government," he said.

He added that Muizzu had gathered the powers of the state, including the powers given to local councils and called on voters to think carefully about what Muizzu wants from PNC candidates.