Somalia: Five more MPs elected in Lower House elections in Jowhar

JOWHAR, Somalia- The Lower House polls in the newly established Hirshabelle state, saw the election of 5 MPs today among them, the former Federal Minister of Interior, Abdualhi Godah Bare, Garowe Online reports.

Barre, an outgoing Federal MP and critic to the caretaker President Hasan Shaikh Mahmoud, has retained his seat after defeating 3 contenders supported by Somali leaders, with majority 32 votes, according to the poll results.

However, the election for this seat has been delayed several times due to dispute over delegates list that was allegedly tampered prior to the election.

Reports said that Bare, who was the Federal Minister of Interior between 2014 and 2015, had the support of Hirshabelle President, Ali Abdulahi Osoble. The re-election of Barre for the Lower House seat is considered a blow to caretaker President who is a presidential candidate in the forthcoming election.

On the other hand, 4 other MPs were elected among them Mina Hasan Mohamed, a known businesswoman and the owner of Global Hotel in the capital Mogadishu. Also Mohamed Omar Aymoy, was elected, he is the outgoing Federal Minister of Fisheries and an outgoing Federal MP.

So far 31 MPs were elected out of 37 seats for Hirshabelle state in the upcoming Lower House chamber of Federal Parliament. The ongoing polls in Jowhar town, witnessed the re-election of 13 outgoing Federal MPs, who are close allies to caretaker President Mahmoud.

Federal electoral body has announced on Tuesday, delays to the Presidential election without setting a new date following failure to meet parliamentary deadline by regional states.

GAROWEONLINE