Saturday June 3, 2023
Garowe (HOL) – The Transitional Puntland Electoral Commission (TPEC) announced the results of the recent local council elections in Puntland on Saturday.
A total of 3,775 candidates from seven political parties, including the ruling Kaah party, vied for 774 seats in elections on 25 May.
More than 385,000 voters have registered for the elections, but only 177,445 voted. Despite this, the commission declared the elections valid and announced the outcomes.
The three organizations that secured the most seats in the local council parliament were Kaah, Mideeye, and Sincad.
The breakdown of seats won is as follows: Kaah received 286 seats, Mideeye secured 211 seats, Sincad obtained 133 seats, Ifiye won 78 seats, Mustaqbal achieved 57 seats, workers secured 7 seats, and Runcad won 2 seats.
The results reflect the diverse political landscape of Puntland and showcase the democratic spirit exhibited by its people.
In over fifty years, Puntland's first direct local elections were not without challenges. Prior to the polls, an opposition group's boycott led to security incidents, prompting concerns from the federal government.
However, some powerful politicians and members of the Puntland opposition groups in the Nugal region in Puntland had boycotted Thursday's polling, forcing the Transitional Puntland Electoral Commission to postpone polls in three of the region's 33 districts, including the state provincial capital, Garowe.
Reflecting on the successful conduct of the elections, Puntland Interior Minister Abdi Farah Juha said the region had made history.
The completion of the local council elections marks a pivotal moment in Puntland's history, setting the stage for greater citizen participation and strengthening democratic institutions.
The international community and the federal government supported the election, further bolstering Puntland's path toward a more inclusive and accountable governance structure.