Ahmed Saeed, the vice president of Fenfushi island’s council, has officially withdrawn support for the ruling party and signed onto the opposition Jumhooree Party.

At the signing on Friday, Saeed said he is displeased with the government’s tactics and does not support the candidates the Progressive Party of Maldives has put forth for the upcoming local council elections.

Saeed will be contesting the elections as well, and further said that he had first intended to do so as an independent candidate.

Saeed’s father-in-law is the current Jumhooree Party candidate for the constituency, who has withdrawn.

He expressed confidence in the opposition’s ability to emerge victorious in the elections.