Sobe says electing a PNC MP would undermine Parliament’s role in holding the government accountable

Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) candidate for the North Hithadhoo constituency, Abdulla Sodiq (Sobe), says the government cannot be held accountable if voters elect another MP from the ruling PNC.

Speaking at his campaign rally on Monday evening, Sobe said MPs are not elected “to salute ministers,” but to question the government and ensure services are delivered to the people.

He said Parliament has strong mechanisms to hold the government accountable, mechanisms that will only function if voters choose a representative willing to use them. That, he said, is why he is contesting.

Sobe, a former mayor of Addu City, alleged that a PNC MP elected from the constituency would “work for his own benefit” rather than for the people.

He urged the people of Hithadhoo to vote for him in the upcoming by‑election.

ރައްޔިތުންގެ މަޖިލީހުގެ ހިތަދޫ އުތުރު ދާއިރާގެ ބައި-އިލެކްޝަން 2026 ގައި ވާދަކުރައްވާ އެމްޑީޕީގެ ކެންޑިޑޭޓް ޢަބްދުﷲ ޞާދިޤު (ސޯބެ) ގެ ކެންޕެއިން މާލެ ޖަލްސާ އެމްޑީޕީ ހަރުގޭގައި ކުރިއަށްދަނީ.#VoteSoabe#HithadhooUthuruDhaaira#VoteThilafathah pic.twitter.com/YzPHQwpUqM

— MDP Secretariat (@MDPSecretariat) May 18, 2026

The Hithadhoo North seat became vacant after the Supreme Court on April 12 ruled that former MP Mohamed Sinan (Sina) had lost his seat due to non‑payment of a MVR 3.8 million loan taken from Maldives Islamic Bank.

The by‑election will be held on the 6th of next month. The candidates are Sobe and Hithadhoo Moolekede Councilor Ahmed Saeed (Soda).

Sobe secured the MDP ticket uncontested, while Saeed received the PNC ticket after Sinan relinquished it.