A big blow to Farmajo after Ubah Tahlil lost Galkayo election

The election of the hop60 Lower House seat has been described as the most transparent, free, and fair competition at a time when corruption and vote-rigging are rampant in Somalia's current elections.

News Keydmedia Online
7 March 2022

GALKAYO, Somalia - A highly contested parliamentary seat election took place last night in Galkayo, the 2nd electoral district in Galmudug which has dealt a big blow to the outgoing Somali President Farmajo.

The indirect election was contested by four female candidates. Qali Ali Shire, a political newcomer was declared to be the winner after she defeated incumbent Ubah Tahlil, a staunch supporter of Farmajo.

Qali's election victory captured the attention and made the media headlines today in Somalia. She was congratulated by opposition figures, including presidential candidate Abdirahman Abdishakur Warsame.

Qali joins the 11th Somali parliament which its two chambers - Lower House [275 MPs and Upper House 54 Senators] will elect a new president in a joint session in Mogadishu in the coming months.

Ubah Tahlil has been MP for 10 years. She failed to retain her seat during the second round of the ballot in southern Galkayo last night after the electoral delegated have overwhelmingly voted for a change.

The election of the hop60 Lower House seat has been described as the most transparent, free, and fair competition at a time when corruption and vote-rigging are rampant in Somalia's current elections.

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