Opposition MDP candidate Abdulla Sodiq has secured a decisive victory in the North Hithadhoo parliamentary by-election, defeating ruling PNC candidate Ahmed Saeed by a significant margin.

The result hands the opposition an important political win in Addu City and deals a setback to the ruling People's National Congress, which failed to retain the seat despite holding a commanding majority in Parliament.

Sodiq, a former Mayor of Addu City who served in the role for more than a decade, will now represent North Hithadhoo in Parliament for the remainder of the current term, which has approximately three years remaining.

The by-election was triggered after the former MP was disqualified by the Supreme Court for failing to settle a proven debt in accordance with a judgment issued by the Hithadhoo Court.

The contest had been closely watched by political observers as an early test of public sentiment toward both the government and the opposition. The scale of Sodiq's victory is likely to boost morale within the MDP while raising questions for the ruling party about its support base in key constituencies.

Although a single parliamentary seat was at stake, the outcome is expected to fuel political debate ahead of future national elections, with analysts likely to view the result as a warning sign that the PNC will need to strengthen its public support if it hopes to remain competitive heading into the 2028 presidential election.