Former Addu City Mayor Sodhiq expresses interest in contesting vacant Hithadhoo North seat

Former Addu City Mayor Abdulla Sodhiq has expressed interest in contesting the parliamentary seat for Hithadhoo North, which became vacant following a Supreme Court ruling on Sunday.

The Supreme Court delivered its judgment in the case filed by Ghalib Saleem over unpaid dues from the Hithadhoo North Magistrate Court. Nine months after hearings concluded, the court ruled unanimously that MP Sinaan’s seat had been vacated.

Speaking to Sun, Sodhiq confirmed that he intends to run for the seat.

“When you are in politics, you always look to continue in that work. Everyone would do the same. So I was interested when this opportunity opened to serve the people for another 10–12 years,” he said.

He added that many residents of Hithadhoo have encouraged him to contest the by‑election.

Sodhiq served as Mayor of Addu City from 2011 to 2021 and later as State Minister for Housing under former President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih. He currently serves as the MDP’s Hithadhoo North constituency president.

Under the Parliamentary Elections Act, a by‑election must be announced within five days of a seat becoming vacant, and a new member must be elected within 60 days.