Somali electoral commission announces Hirshabelle assembly and local council election results

Jowhar (HOL) — Somalia’s National Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (NIEBC) announced Saturday the results of elections for Hirshabelle State’s House of Representatives and local councils.

Commission chairperson Abdikarim Ahmed Hassan said the elections were held across 10 districts in Hirshabelle and that voting, counting and result aggregation were completed peacefully.

The Justice and Unity Party (JSP) and led by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, won the largest share of local council seats, receiving 76,732 votes and securing 158 seats, according to the commission.

The remaining local council results showed Tiir receiving 761 votes and one seat; Madalsan 5,909 votes and 14 seats; Muwaadiniinta Soomaaliyeed 1,230 votes and one seat; the Somali Democratic Party 2,353 votes and one seat; the Somali People’s Party 119 votes and no seats; Iftiin Qaran 9,776 votes and 12 seats; Karaama 6,679 votes and 17 seats; Saab 123 votes and no seats; Dan Shacab 43 votes and no seats; Sincad 3,690 votes and eight seats; Dhalinyarada Talo Qaran 105 votes and no seats; and Ramaas 4,934 votes and seven seats.

In the House of Representatives election, 114,633 votes were cast. Of those, 112,451 were valid and 2,182 were rejected, the commission said.

The House of Representatives election involved 13 political organizations competing for 99 seats.

JSP also won the largest number of seats in the House of Representatives, securing 78 seats.

The remaining House of Representatives results showed Tiir receiving 759 votes and one seat; Madalsan 911 votes and one seat; Muwaadiniinta Soomaaliyeed 1,222 votes and one seat; the Somali Democratic Party 2,368 votes and two seats; the Somali People’s Party 113 votes and no seats; Iftiin Qaran 6,165 votes and five seats; Karaama 6,875 votes and six seats; Saab 120 votes and no seats; Dan Shacab 51 votes and no seats; Sincad 3,701 votes and three seats; Dhalinyarada Talo Qaran 197 votes and no seats; and Ramaas 41,939 votes and two seats.

Abdikarim said the elections held in Hirshabelle and Galmudug represented a significant step forward for Somalia’s electoral process.

He said the commission is ready to play its role in preparing future federal elections, including elections for both houses of Somalia’s Federal Parliament.

Abdikarim commended the people of Hirshabelle and Galmudug, as well as security forces, including police, military and intelligence agencies, for helping secure polling sites.