Hashi-Mahdi face off again over Somaliland polls

GOOBJOOG NEWS|MOGADISHU: The political dispute between outgoing senate speaker and deputy prime minister Mahdi Guled has resurfaced following a tussle over 16 Lower House seats announced for election last week.

In a letter addressed to the State Indirect Election Team (SIET) Tuesday, Hashi urged a halt of the process noting the selection process was marred by irregularities. Following his call, three members appointed by Hashi to the Somaliland SIET sided with him noting the process had been compromised.

It has now emerged that Hashi’s contention is allegedly on the grounds that both Mahdi and outgoing president Mohamed Farmaajo had worked out a secret register of delegates to ensure they elected MPs in accordance with their script.

Of issue also is a tussle over a seat being contested by Farmaajo’s fierce critic Abdifitah Tahir. Mahdi and Farmaajo, Hashi side argues intend to lock Tahir out of the race.

The SIET last week announced 16 more seats up for election