The Maldives United Opposition (MUO) is to hold a special gathering in Baa atoll Dharavandhoo Island on Friday night demanding free and fair elections in the country.

Deputy chairperson of main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) Ali Niyaz told Raajje TV that the purpose of the gathering is to demand free and fair elections.

Referring to a Civil Court order to delay the local council elections by two months, Niyaz said the opposition was pressing the authorities to announce a new date for the elections.

He said that the MUO is making a special visit to Baa atoll to raise support for the cause and candidates of the joint opposition parties.

He announced that the gathering in Dharavandhoo Island is scheduled for 09:00 pm on Friday night where supporters of the opposition would call for an end to corruption.

Niyaz said that senior leaders and national council members of the main opposition MDP and other parties of the MUO would attend the gathering.

Meanwhile on Friday evening, a demonstration was held in the streets of Dharavandhoo Island joined by supporters of the opposition.

The demonstrators expressed concern over government influence in independent state institutions and demanded impartiality and justice.

Separately, a special workshop is scheduled for Saturday to train candidate contesting for the council seats in Baa atoll.

Niyaz said that people of Baa atoll who support the MUO would attend the workshop as part of the campaigns to raise support for candidates.

In late 2016, the Civil Court ordered the Elections Commission (EC) to delay the local council elections by two months, citing operation difficulties in running the ruling party.

The ruling Progressive Party of Maldives (PPM) is currently divided into two factions – one which supports President Abdulla Yameen and the other which backs his half-brother and party leader former President Maumoon Abdul Gayyoom.