Ruling Party Wins Presidential Vote In Breakaway Somaliland
Fahad Shabbir (@FahadShabbir) Published November 21, 2017 | 09:45 PM
Muse Bihi from the ruling Kulmiye party was on Tuesday declared the winner of last week's presidential poll in the self-proclaimed state of Somaliland, election officials said
Mogadishu, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 21st Nov, 2017 ) :Muse Bihi from the ruling Kulmiye party was on Tuesday declared the winner of last week's presidential poll in the self-proclaimed state of Somaliland, election officials said.
Bihi, 69, won with 55 percent of the vote, beating Abdirahman Iro of the main opposition Waddani party, who received 41 percent. Faysal Ali Warabe, who previously ran and lost in 2010, came third with four percent.
"The tallying process of the election was concluded and Kulmiye party candidate Muse Bihi Abdi... won the election and will be the president," said election commission chairman Abdikadir Iman Warsame.
The northern territory, which declared independence from the rest of Somalia in 1991, hopes the successful conclusion of its third presidential election will bolster its democratic credentials and strengthen the case for independence from its troubled neighbour.
Bihi, a retired air force officer and former interior minister, is a well-known figure in Somaliland and has chaired the Kulmiye party (meaning Peace, Unity and Development) since 2010.
He will succeed as president Ahmed Mohamud Silaanyo, who did not seek re-election.
Elections are meant to be held every five years, but the poll was delayed for two years due to drought and technical issues. Somaliland's history of peaceful, credible elections and democratic transition sets it apart from anarchic southern Somalia.
Somalia -- which is wracked with fighting between African Union-backed Somali forces and the Al Qaeda aligned Shabaab militants -- held an election in February that saw a president chosen via a limited electoral process in which handpicked clan elders selected delegates who were allowed to vote.
However Somaliland drew criticism for imposing a blackout on social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook after voting closed on November 14, to prevent interference from outside the borders of the semi-autonomous state and speculation over the outcome.
Iro had also questioned the conduct of this month's election, claiming harassment and fraud, including the participation of underage voters.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Experts raise concerns over introduction of 10-stick packs
Iranian president arrives in Karachi
Law Minister expresses Govt's resolve to address issue of missing persons
Rizwan’s batting order may be changed: Sources
Nawaz Sharif to visit Guangzhou exhibition in China
FM Dar not traveling to China: Foreign Office
PM takes notice of deliberate delay in tax cases
Iranian President visits Allama Iqbal’s mausoleum
Iranian President arrives in Lahore today
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 23 April 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 23 April 2024
Islam enlightened world with its teachings about knowledge: Dr Jamileh
More Stories From World
-
UK Rwanda law sparks fear among migrants hoping to cross Channel
40 minutes ago -
China issues highest-level rainstorm warning after deadly floods
40 minutes ago -
UK's Sunak announces raised defence spending, new Ukraine aid
50 minutes ago -
Baby delivered from dying mother's womb in Gaza 'miracle'
1 hour ago -
Russia rejects US journalist Gershkovich's detention appeal
2 hours ago -
Prosecutors accuse Trump of 'willful' violations of gag order
2 hours ago
-
French artist JR downsizes at Venice Biennale with Orient Express
3 hours ago -
Umrah & Ziarah Forum 2024: A gateway to enhance pilgrimage services in Holy land
4 hours ago -
16 dead, 28 missing in migrant boat capsize off Djibouti: UN
4 hours ago -
16 dead, 28 missing in migrant boat capsize off Djibouti: UN
4 hours ago -
How UK's biggest water supplier sank into crisis
4 hours ago -
EU lawmakers greenlight new rules to rein in national spending
5 hours ago