Minister of Sports, Fitness and Recreation and PNC Campaign Manager Abdulla Rafiu has said the ruling party’s performance in the Hithadhoo North parliamentary by-election demonstrates that residents of Hithadhoo recognize and support the development work being carried out by the government.
Rafiu made the remarks during an interview with PSM News following the conclusion of Saturday’s by-election, which was held to fill the vacant Hithadhoo North seat in the People’s Majlis.
Although the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) retained the constituency, the minister pointed to the results from ballot boxes located within Hithadhoo itself, where the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) candidate secured more votes than his opponent.
According to provisional results released by the Elections Commission (EC), MDP candidate and former Addu City Mayor Abdulla Sodiq (Sobe) won the election with 1,375 votes. PNC candidate Ahmed Saeed (Soda) received 1,313 votes, resulting in a margin of 62 votes.
However, figures show that Saeed led in the ballot boxes placed within Hithadhoo. Out of the five ballot boxes stationed in the constituency, the PNC candidate secured 958 votes compared to Sodiq’s 924 votes, giving him a lead of 34 votes in those boxes.
Commenting on the outcome, Rafiu said the result reflected public appreciation for the work undertaken by the government in the constituency over recent months.
“It is evident that the people of Hithadhoo have accepted the work being carried out by the government,” Rafiu said.
He added that several development initiatives were undertaken in the constituency during the campaign period and stressed that those efforts would continue despite the conclusion of the election.
“Although the campaign has ended, the next step is to move forward quickly with the work that has been initiated and bring those projects to completion. Our hope is that every resident of the constituency benefits from the development taking place in Hithadhoo,” he said.
The minister also described the campaign as an important step in strengthening the party’s presence in Addu City. According to Rafiu, the by-election created opportunities to engage with residents and expand the party’s reach in the southern city.
He said the campaign should be viewed as the beginning of a longer process aimed at further strengthening the party’s support base.
The Hithadhoo North seat became vacant following a Supreme Court ruling that removed former MP Mohamed Sinan from office.
A total of 4,121 voters were eligible to cast ballots in the by-election. Seven ballot boxes were used, including five located at Hithadhoo School in Addu City and two stationed at Dharumavantha School in Malé for voters residing in the capital.
The contest attracted significant national attention, with senior figures from both major political parties actively campaigning in the constituency.
While the MDP succeeded in retaining the seat through Sodiq’s victory, the ruling PNC has highlighted its performance within Hithadhoo as evidence of growing support for the party and the government’s development agenda in Addu.
