Somaliland delegates wrap up senate polls, pick last five senators

GOOBJOOG NEWS|MOGADISHU: The last five senators who will represent Somaliland in the federal senate were today elected ending a long-running process earlier characterised by political tussles between senate speaker Abdi Hashi and Deputy Prime Minister Mahdi Guled.

Only one seat, contested by outgoing senator Muna Omar Hassan and Naima Haji Mohamud was subjected to the ballot while the rest were not contested after candidates withdrew.

Naima Mohamud beat Hassan by 30 to 13 votes in the first seat. In the second seat, Said Abdi Hassan was declared the winner after his opponent, Jama Abdullahi Mohamed pulled out of the race.

Abdirizak Ahmed Ali and Hassan Abdi Gas withdrew leaving the seat for Ahmed Mohamed Said in the third seat while Ahmed Mohamed Qorane was declared the winner after Bashe Mohamed Ismail withdrew.

In the fifth seat, Deeqa Hassan Hussein became the second woman senator for Somaliland after her opponent Hodan Abukar Hassan pulled out.

Today’s election now brings to 46 the number of senators elected so far in Somalia. Prime Minister Mohamed Roble said Monday he will be convening the inaugural session of the Senate following the completion of the Somaliland round. The senate needs a quorum of 29 senators to commence business.

Meanwhile, Somaliland elections head Khadar Hussein said elections for the Lower House will soon commence.