Maldives opposition creates coalition against government

The Maldives opposition on Tuesday announced a joint formation in order to work against the government.

Opposition Maldives Democratic Party (MDP) member and former Foreign Minister Ahmed Naseem said a number of political parties have joined the Maldives United Opposition, Xinhua reported.

He said the Maldives United Opposition will strive to remove the government through legal and lawful means.

The former minister said an interim-arrangement in required in the Maldives to restore democracy and ensure the forthcoming elections in the island-nation are free and fair.

The Maldives United Opposition also raised concerns over the proposed e-voting system for the next elections, saying the system could be rigged.

"Recent alarming incidents of violence and murders on the roads of Male signify failure and wilful negligence of the ruling regime to keep law and order," he said.

He also accused the current government of having poor foreign policy which has affected the relations between the Maldives and its neighbours.

The Maldives United Opposition also raised concerns over the number of Maldivians joining the terrorist IS group.

Ahmed Naseem said the number of radicalised youth who have joined the IS has now exceeded 300.