Sodiq sworn in as Hithadhoo North MP
The by-election was held on 6 June to fill the seat vacated by former MP Mohamed Sinan of the ruling People's National Congress (PNC).
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Abdullah Sodiq of the opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) was sworn in as the Member of Parliament for the Hithadhoo North constituency on Monday following his victory in the recent by-election.
The by-election was held on 6 June to fill the seat vacated by former MP Mohamed Sinan of the ruling People's National Congress (PNC), who lost his parliamentary seat due to an undischarged debt.
Sodiq took his oath of office during a ceremony held at the People's Majlis. Following the ceremony, he joined the ongoing parliamentary sitting, where he was welcomed by Speaker of Parliament Abdul Raheem Abdulla.
The election marked the first parliamentary by-election of the current 20th People's Majlis.
According to the official results announced by the Elections Commission, Sodiq secured 1,375 votes, representing 51.15 per cent of ballots cast.
His opponent, PNC candidate Ahmed Saeed, received 1,313 votes, or 48.85 per cent of the vote.
The final margin between the two candidates was 62 votes.
Of approximately 4,100 eligible voters in the constituency, 2,739 cast ballots, resulting in a voter turnout of 66 per cent.
With Sodiq's entry into Parliament, the number of MDP members in the People's Majlis has increased to 13.
