Somalia: caretaker President wins the first round, Farmajo became second

MOGADISHU, Somalia- The first round of the presidential election in the Somali capital of Mogadishu has concluded, as scores showed the caretaker President leading the ballot, Garowe Online reports.

Caretaker President Hasan Shaikh Mahmoud received 88 votes, whereas Mohamed Abdualhi Farmajo, Shariif Shaikh Ahmed and caretaker Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke have received 72, 49 and 37 votes respectively, according to the ballot results announced by the Speaker of the Federal Parliament.

The other 17 candidates have received collectively 81 votes and 1 vote was cancelled. The Speaker of the Federal Parliament noted that the top 4 candidate with most votes will advance to the second round of voting.

The Federal Parliament will elect the 9th Somali President following the conclusion of the ballot on Wednesday.

GAROWEONLINE