MOGADISHU (CN) – Six out of the eleven senators allocated to Somaliland were today elected in Mogadishu, in what seems to be the conclusion of the first phase of the senatorial seats of northern regions ahead of the presidential elections in the horn of African nation later this year.
About 46 electoral delegates were convened in the Afisioni tent near Mogadishu International Airport to vote for the six seats in the Upper House of the Northern regions of Somaliland.
The first seat whose election took place mid-morning was contested by Abdi Hashi Abdillahi, the outgoing Speaker of the Upper House and Said Omar Hussein.
Hashi retained his seat after gaining 44 votes out of 46 possible votes. His opponent got nothing while two votes were declared invalid.
In a hotly contested election, current Minister of Constitution Salah Ahmed Jama elected to the seat after defeating former Chief Justice Ibrahim Idle Suleiman by 29 to 12. The electoral commission confirmed that five votes got spoilt.
A highly respected scholar from the University of Minnesota, Prof. Abdi Ismail Samatar and professor of Geography at a US university have faced off in the third race with Samatar becoming the winner as he garnered 25 votes while his challenger got 21.
The outgoing FGS Information Minister Osman Abokor Dubbe was elected as new senator after beating his challenger Abdikarim Mohamed Hassan by 28 by17 while one vote got spoilt.
Layla Ahmed Ismail and Bilal Idris Abdillahi wrested fifth and sixth seats after defeating Mohamed Mohamud Abdi and Zeinab Ahmed Boqore respectively.
The delegates are expected to five more senators to seal the 11 seats allocated to Somaliland.
Somaliland, like Puntland, is allocated 11 seats while all other Federal Member States get eight.
Ceelwaaq News 