Polls arbitrator suspends DPM Guled’s win, to rule in 7 days

GOOBJOOG NEWS|MOGADISHU: The Deputy Prime Minister Mahdi Guled’s election to the Lower House has suffered a major blow after the Electoral Disputes Resolution Committee called off the victory vote following a dispute over the seat.

This is after the outgoing MP Hussein Arab Isse who held the seat filed a complaint with the dispute resolution body alleging that he was locked out of the race and Guled cleared for the race despite not being a bonafide member of the sub-clan whose seat the elections were held.

The Dispute Resolution Committee thereafter directed the Federal Indirect Elections Team (FIET)to suspend the announcement of the official results of the seat from November 2 until the Arbitration Committee comes up with a ruling.

The Committee further stated that investigations into the election petition would be completed within seven days and the decision would be communicated to the parties concerned.

Mahdi Guled, a close Farmaajo ally garnered 97 votes while her only opponent, Mushtaq Yusuf got only three votes.