In a definitive display of political alignment, the main opposition Maldivian Democratic Party (MDP) has secured a dominant victory in the 2026 Local Council Elections, sweeping the southern cities of Addu and Fuvahmulah. The results indicate that the MDP has successfully retained control of the southern urban hubs, leaving the ruling People’s National Congress (PNC) with only a marginal presence.

In Addu City, incumbent Mayor Ali Nizar secured a second term with a commanding 64.96% of the vote, defeating PNC candidate Mushrif Ali by a margin of over 4,500 votes. The MDP captured 10 out of the 11 available seats in Addu. While the party dominated the general and women’s seats, the PNC’s sole victory came from the Hithadhoo Moolekede constituency, where Ahmed Saeed won by a narrow 13-vote margin.

Fuvahmulah City mirrored this trend, where Mayor Ismail Rafeeq was re-elected with 63.94% of the vote. The MDP claimed eight of the nine seats in the city, including all general council seats. The PNC managed to secure only the women’s seat for the Dhadimagu constituency, with candidate Aishath Abdul Qadir winning by a mere five votes against an independent challenger.

The collective results from both cities show the MDP winning 18 out of 20 total seats, representing a 90% success rate. Political analysts suggest that while the ruling PNC has found success in various atolls, the opposition continues to maintain a formidable “Southern Wall” in the Maldives’ major cities. This outcome serves as a significant indicator of public sentiment heading into future national elections.