​Somalia: election of Lower House Deputy Speakers kicks off in Mogadishu

 MOGADISHU, Somalia - The ballot to elect the deputy speakers of the  newly inaugurated 10th Federal Parliament has kicked off in Mogadishu, a day after the MPs voted for the speaker of the Parliament, Garowe Online reports. 

Over 256 parliament members are casting their votes among six candidates, including former Justice Minister and President's ally Farah Abdulkadir in the election of the first and second Deputy Speaker.

Ten others candidates, among them Mahad Abdalla Awad, former Second Deputy Speaker of the 9th Parliament and Abdullahi Godah Barre who served as Interior Minister are vying for the second Deputy Speaker.

The election is taking place at the Parliament hall in the capital under a tight security as the main streets of Mogadishu are blocked by government forces for the second consecutive day due to the elections.

On Wednesday, former Parliament Speaker Mohamed Sheikh Osman Jawari has been elected for the second time in office by 256 lawmakers in a secret ballot in Mogadishu.