Somalia’s Finance minister concedes defeat in parliamentary election

BAYDABO, Somalia- Mohamed Adan Fargeeti, a Finance minister of the Somali Federal government-term ended in September 10- has lost to rival candidate in the ongoing parliamentary election in Southwest state, Garowe Online report.

On Tuesday, poll sessions have started in Baydabo town for parliamentary aspirants competing for seats representing Southwest state in the upcoming Lower House chamber of Federal Parliament.  

However, today’s polls witnessed the defeat of Fargeeti by the narrowest of margins, against Mohamed Moalin Yahye, who scored 26 votes in the second round of polling, just one vote more than Fargeeti who secured 25 votes. The third candidate defeated in the first round after receiving 2 votes.

Delegates-Electoral College- have casted their votes between the contenders contesting for the seat, appointed by clan elders hailing from the same sub-clan as the candidates.

Close sources tell GO that poll sessions were marred by bribery, with payments of up to $5,000 paid to buy votes from delegates.

Southwest President, Sharif Hasan Shaikh Adan, backed Yahye’s campaign for the parliamentary seat, a former official for the past Transitional Federal government TFG, added the source.

According to the National Leadership Forum (NLF) communiqué, Southwest state received the highest seats representation of Federal member states in the upcoming Federal Parliament.  

Widespread corruption, bribery and vote rigging have overshadowed the ongoing electoral process of Upper and Lower Houses elections in regional states due to continuous interference by leaders of Federal government and regional states, who some are presidential candidates.

The upcoming lawmakers are set to select the speaker of the House and a new Somali President in the presidential poll scheduled to be held in November 30.

GAROWEONLINE