Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) candidate Abdulla Sodiq has won the Hithadhoo North by-election for the parliamentary seat, according to interim results.
Sodiq contested against the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) candidate Ahmed Saeed.
A total of 4,121 eligible voters were registered to vote in the election. Seven ballot boxes were set up, including two at Dharumavantha School in Male’, and five at Hithadhoo School in Addu City.
Interim results show Sodiq received 1,375 votes, while Saeed secured 1,313 votes. A total of 2,730 votes were cast, of which 2,688 were valid and 42 votes were invalid. The voter turnout stood at 66.25 percent.
Sodiq was the first Mayor of Addu City, serving three terms. In the previous government, he was State Minister of Housing and Infrastructure.
The Hithadhoo North seat became vacant following a Supreme Court ruling that found the former Member of Parliament Mohamed Sinan had failed to meet scheduled debt repayment obligations, resulting in the loss of his parliamentary seat.