The State Electric Company (STELCO) had power cuts during the campaign events of opposition mayoral candidates for Male' city last night (March 31).

The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) candidate, Mayor Adam Azim, who is seeking re-election, held his event at the West Park area in Male'.

“We have already shown in this election that the MDP will not back down to intimidation. Our focus is to serve the people and win this election," he said.

Meanwhile, independent candidate Ismail Zariyand, endorsed by the People's National Front (PNF), had a campaign event at a restaurant in Rasfannu beach.

“The fact that STELCO deliberately cut off the power supply tonight while the mayoral candidate Zariyand was presenting his manifesto shows how much Muizzu is afraid of the people and especially Zariyand,” said the party's Vice President, Mohamed Jameel.

STELCO officials told Adhadhu that the power outage was caused by a transformer going off, and the problem was later resolved.

The government is putting pressure on the opposition candidates in the April 4 local council elections. Power outages have occurred in campaign events, while campaign posters and banners have also been removed across the capital city.