The Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has canceled a rally planned for the 17th of this month, claiming that the government denied permission for the event.

At an MDP National Council meeting held last night at the Dhandikoshi Jagaha, MDP Vice Chairperson Ibrahim Waheed (Iburey) said that although the party tried to secure a venue for the rally, the government had blocked all possible locations.

Iburey said that despite attempts to hold the rally at the Carnival area, Artificial Beach, and Rasfannu, the government did not grant permission. He also said that when they looked into holding the event at Sultan Park, they found that the area had been removed from Male' City Council's jurisdiction and placed under the Local Government Ministry, supposedly for renovation purposes.

Iburey also stated that the government has been obstructing efforts to promote the MDP rally. He said that banners promoting the rally that were put up in Hulhumale' were removed by the Housing Development Corporation (HDC).

Iburey said that when they held a pickup warm-up as a prelude to the rally, the police stopped it. He added that when they requested permission from the Transport Ministry for the pickup warm-up, the ministry refused to grant it after citing various reasons.

He said that since the rally was expected to be larger than what could be accommodated at the party headquarters, they needed a larger open area.

At last night's MDP National Council meeting, the decision to postpone the rally was passed unanimously.