Somali electoral commission announces Galmudug rerun results after court-ordered vote

Dhusamareb (HOL) — Somalia’s National Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (NIEBC) announced Friday the results of repeat elections for Galmudug State’s House of Representatives and local councils.

Commission chairperson Abdikarim Ahmed Hassan said the local council elections were held across 11 districts, with 12 political organizations competing for 243 seats.

The Justice and Unity Party (JSP) led by the current federal government President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, won the largest share of local council seats, receiving 105,716 votes and securing 179 seats, according to the commission.

The remaining local council results showed Tiir receiving 1,126 votes and two seats; Madalsan 4,945 votes and 10 seats; Muwaadiniinta Soomaaliyeed 372 votes and one seat; the Somali Democratic Party 2,353 votes and one seat; the Somali People’s Party 228 votes and no seats; Karaama 10,239 votes and 21 seats; Saab 880 votes and one seat; Sincad 14,305 votes and 17 seats; Dhalinyarada Talo Qaran 2,773 votes and four seats; and Ramaas 3,059 votes and six seats.

In the House of Representatives election, 149,475 votes were cast. Of those, 146,374 were valid, while 3,101 were rejected, the commission said.

The House of Representatives election were held across 11 districts, with 12 political organizations competing for 89 seats.

JSP also won the largest number of seats in the House of Representatives, securing 67 seats.

The commission said Tiir received 1,085 votes and one seat; Madalsan 4,025 votes and two seats; Muwaadiniinta Soomaaliyeed 842 votes and one seat; the Somali Democratic Party 2,283 votes and one seat; the Somali People’s Party 158 votes and no seats; Karaama 10,309 votes and six seats; Saab 880 votes and one seat; Sincad 10,895 votes and seven seats; Dhalinyarada Talo Qaran 2,043 votes and two seats; and Ramaas 3,044 votes and two seats.

Abdikarim said the results were announced after the vote counting and tabulation process was completed.

He thanked the people of Galmudug, the participating political organizations and all parties involved in organizing and facilitating the elections.

The Galmudug vote was a rerun of elections held on July 30, after Somalia’s Supreme Court annulled the earlier results over administrative and procedural irregularities.

The election is part of Somalia’s one-person, one-vote electoral process. The electoral commission said similar activities have taken place in Banadir region, South West State and Galmudug, while preparations are continuing in Hirshabelle.