Somalia's ruling party wins expected victory in Galmudug local polls

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia's ruling Justice and Solidarity Party, led by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, won a decisive victory in local council elections in the central state of Galmudug, according to official results announced Monday, strengthening the party's position ahead of the region's next presidential election.

The National Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission said the party received 135,247 of the 193,451 valid votes cast, securing 63 of the 189 local council seats contested.

The Towfiiq political organization placed second with 26,003 votes and 12 seats. Sincad won six seats with 12,862 votes, while Karaamo received 10,668 votes and secured five seats.

The elections marked the second local vote held under Somalia's one-person, one-vote electoral system in a federal member state, part of the federal government's broader effort to replace the country's clan-based indirect electoral model with direct elections.

The outcome was widely expected by political observers, who said the ruling party entered the race with significant political and organizational advantages.

The results are expected to shape Galmudug's upcoming presidential election. Analysts say Liban Shuluq, widely seen as the preferred candidate of President Mohamud and the federal government, has emerged as a leading contender for the regional presidency, although the election has not yet been scheduled.

Opposition politicians and several political organizations have questioned the transparency and fairness of the electoral process, arguing that the contest did not provide equal conditions for all participants. The federal government and the electoral commission have rejected those claims, saying the vote was conducted in accordance with the law.

The results were first reported by Garowe Online.

GAROWE ONLINE