Police have blocked a motorcycle rally held by the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) in Male' on Friday (February 27).

The rally was held to protest against the government's plan to merge the presidential and parliamentary elections through a referendum on April 4.

The rally began at 4:30 pm near the party's main hall on Chaandhanee Road. Police barricaded the MDP members near the local market area.

MDP's interim Chairperson Abdul Ghafoor Moosa spoke to the police who obstructed the rally. But the police did not explain the reason for the obstruction.

The MDP has decided to conduct a series of activities against the referendum vote. A committee has been appointed to carry out the activities.

Additionally, the MDP has filed a case at the Civil Court to quash the law allowing the referendum and cancel the presidential decree announcing the referendum.