Somalia: Former spy chief joins Parliament after vote

DHUSAMAREB, Somalia - The former director of Somalia's spy General Abdullahi Gafow was declared the winner of a by-election to a vacant seat from the Federal Parliament, Garowe Online reports.

Gafow who also served as head of Immigration department won the seat of the lower house chamber of the Federal Parliament, after securing 47 votes against his rival candidate who garnered only 7 votes.

The chairwoman of National Independent Electoral Commission (NIEC), Halima Ismail announced the result of the by-election that took place on Tuesday 4th September in Dhusamareb, Galmudug's capital.

The victory of Gafow followed the defeat of his sole contender, Hirey Muhuyidin who previously served the district commissioner of Mogadishu's Deynile district, according to the poll agency.

As per the constitution, 50 electoral delegates cast among the two candidates. General Abdullahi Gafow replaces his younger brother, Abdulqadir, who resigned last month, without providing any reason for his resignation.

There are two more vacant seats at the House of the People which 54% out of its 275-member seats were elected in late 2016 during the country's Parliamentary vote held in the regional states' capitals.

The election comes as lawmakers of the national assembly have been on holiday since last May 28th and are expected to officially to resume their normal sessions on 10th September 2018.

The 2016 parliamentary elections have been subject to vote-buying and intimidation, leaving them without credibility, after votes were bought with $5,000, some with $10,000, and some with $20,000 or $30,000.

GAROWE ONLINE