Sunday May 15, 2022
Mogadishu (HOL) – Former President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud topped the table in the second round of Somalia’s presidential election with a commanding 110 votes.
The incumbent President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo came in second with 83 votes, enough to secure him a spot in the final run-off election against Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.
In 2017, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud conceded defeat to Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo after the second round after calculating that his prospects of being reelected were slim.
Puntland President Said Abdullahi Deni, who led all candidates in the opening round, placed third in the presidential contest with 68 votes, while former Prime Minister Hassan Ali Kheyre came a close fourth with 63 votes. Both candidates have been eliminated.
There were five spoilt ballots. A significant improvement from the first round which saw over a dozen disqualified ballots.
328 lawmakers, including 274 MPs and 54 Senators, cast a ballot in the presidential poll.
Despite being at the voting venue for over eight hours, lawmakers will choose between two former Presidents to lead them, marking the first time that Somalis bring back a former leader to take up the top job.
Xigasho: Hiiraan
