MOGADISHU (SD) – Somaliland’s first six senators have been elected following tight competition in Somali capital ahead of the country’s presidential elections.

Voting took place under enhanced security under the Afisioni tent near Mogadishu International Airport. 

Abdi Abdullahi Hashi, the outgoing Upper House Speaker has retained his seat as a Senator of the Upper House after defeating his opponent.

Hashi garnered 44 votes out 46 possible votes with his challenger Saed Omar Hussein received nothing.

According to the electoral Commission, two votes got spoilt.

The delegates cast votes to elect second senatorial seat where two candidates namely Salah Ahmed Jama and Somalia’ former chief justice, Ibrahim Idle Saleban were contesting.

Jama has managed secure 29 votes, becoming second Senator-elect for Somaliland representatives in the federal Parliament.

Saleban got 12 votes while five votes were declared invalid.

Candidate Prof. Abdi Ismail Samatar won a hard-fought two-round election victory over two other candidates, Prof. Mohamed Mohamud Allabari and Abdirahman Osman Ali.

The Electoral Commission announced that Prof. Abdi Ismail Samatar received 25 votes while the candidate in the last round, Prof. Mohamed Mohamud Allabari received 21 votes.

Somali Government Information Minister Osman Abukar Dubbe has become the fourth senator to be elected by a delegation from Northern Somalia, following a difficult election with a rival candidate.

Osman Abukar Dubbe, Somalia’s information minister, received 28 votes, while his rival, Abdikarim Mohamed Hassan, received 17 votes, with one abstention.

The 5th seat was won by Leylo Ahmed Ismail, and was contested by Mohamed Mohamud Abdi who later resigned, with Leylo receiving a show of hands with 30 votes, while 6 others abstained.

The 6th seat was won by incumbent Bilal Idris Abdillahi who won the seat with 37 votes. Bilal was running against Zainab Ahmed Boqore for the seat, which received only 8 votes.

Today’s election concluded with the election of six senators, representing the Northern regions, with five more seats up for grabs.