Puntland elected seven female MPs out of 10 seats allocated for women

Puntland, a regional state in Northern Somalia has preserved 70% of the seats allocated for women amid the lower house elections concluded on Monday.

Seven female members of the Lower House have been elected in Puntland state, out of an allocation of 10 seats, according to State-level Indirect Electoral Implementation team (SIEIT).

SIEIT chairman, Khaliif Aw Ali, who spoke to Goobjoog News said over two third of the seats allocated for women have been achieved

He said SIEIT has worked hard to convince the clans with seats given to contest only women.

“We have successfully manage to have seven seats for women after long struggle, some clans objected 30% women quota but they convinced to accept the process,” said Ali

The parliamentary elections in Puntland state was concluded on Monday with the election of all 37 lawmakers representing the state in the upcoming Lower House chamber of Federal Parliament.

NLF agreed that each of the four clans in Somalia will be required to produce 18 female members for the Lower House while the smaller clans will be allocated nine seats.

It also resolved that the election of the Upper House be conducted in the regional state parliaments.

International community has played a crucial role in advancing the rights of women in Somalia, by lobbying for the increased participation of Somali women in leadership.