The Maldivian Democratic Party’s (MDP) twelfth anniversary is marred by derailed democracy, said its founder and former Maldivian President Mohamed Nasheed.

In a tweet sent out earlier on Monday, greeting the MDP on its anniversary, he described the current circumstances in the country as ‘challenging’.

The party’s senior members have extended greetings to their supporters as well.

MDP’s roots can be traced back to over a decade, with the party having unsuccessfully register with the Elections Commission in 2001, during former President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom’s tenure, who is now aligned with the opposition alongside the party.

After having been unable to pressure authorities into allowing political parties to exist in the country, in 2003, MDP first declared its existence overseas in Sri Lanka.

Two years later, after the party – spearheaded by British-educated Nasheed who lead several protests and demonstrations against the government, calling for constitutional reform and broadening of basic rights – the parliament had passed to legally recognize political parties.

Twenty days after the parliament made this decision, MDP registered itself in the Maldives – becoming the first political party in the country – on June 26^th, 2015. Nasheed and the party are often credited with ushering in democratic principles and ideology into the country.

The MDP, currently the largest opposition party, has announced several activities to mark its 12^th anniversary.