PNC Chairperson and Speaker of Parliament Abdul Raheem Abdulla has stated that the ruling party's candidate leading the ballot boxes placed in Addu during yesterday's Hithadhoo North by-election is a major success, and the motivation gained from this outcome will drive them to secure the 2028 presidential election for President Dr. Mohamed Muizzu.

The Hithadhoo North by-election was won by a narrow margin by the opposition MDP candidate and former Mayor of Addu City, Abdulla Sodiq (Sobe).

According to the provisional results received so far, Sodiq won the election by a margin of 62 votes. He secured 1,375 votes, while the PNC candidate, Ahmed Saeed, received 1,313 votes.

In a post on X following the announcement of the temporary results, Abdul Raheem stated that Saeed's campaign team deserves praise and highlighted that the PNC candidate leading in the ballot boxes kept within Addu City was a substantial achievement.

"Insha Allah, encouraged by today's outcome, we stand firm with our eyes set strong on 2028 with President Muizzu," Abdul Raheem said.Abdul Raheem had traveled to Addu on two separate occasions to participate in Saeed's election campaign.

The by-election for the Hithadhoo North constituency was necessitated following a Supreme Court verdict that declared the seat vacant. The ruling came after the court found that the sitting MP at the time, Mohamed Sinan, had an outstanding proven debt, thereby disqualifying him from the parliament.