KISMAYO (SD) – The regional lawmakers in Jubbaland state of southern Somalia have today elected four senate members who will represent the state in the federal parliament in Mogadishu.

Among the members elected are Mr Ilyas Bedel Gabbose, Abdullahi Fartaag, Abirizak Mohamed Osman and Hassan Iman Iftin.

Mr Gabbose has defeated Mohamed Ahmed Sayid, by 55 to 17 votes in an early race on Thursday morning.

Fartaag was declared winner of the second seat after his challenger Ahmed Mohamed Jama dropped out of the race.

In the next round of voting, Abirizak Mohamed Osman and Hassan Iman Iftin were also elected senators.

Jubbaland is the first state to elect senators to the 11thParliament.

Southwest is other only regional state that appointed election team while all the other regional governments including the Somaliland caucus are yet to name their teams.

Galmudug, South West, Jubbaland and Hirshabelle state have got 8 seats in the Somalia Federal Upper House.

Puntland and Somaliland are allocated 11 seats each, for Somalia to have 54 seats in the Upper House.