South West State approaches final stages of voting for House of the People

A delegate casts her vote during the electoral process to choose members of the House of the people in Baidoa, Somalia on 1 December 2016. UN Photo

1 Dec 2016

South West State approaches final stages of voting for House of the People

South West State has filled 66 seats out of the 69 allocated after today’s voting which has elected Hanifa Mohamed Ibrahim, formerly a gender officer for the South West presidency.

She was declared the winner in an all-female contest.. The MP-elect Hanifa also thanked the electorate for electing her and promised to push for women’s rights mainly in healthcare.

“South West women have no adequate health care. There is no single maternity hospital in Baidoa let alone other areas in South West. Women have a right to accessible health care. I will direct my effort in this area,” Ms. Hanifa added.

SIEIT Baidoa Deputy Chairman, Sid Ali Abukar Hussein, observed that the South West State was closer to achieving the 30 percent gender quota, following the election of Ms. Hanifa

“Today, we voted for one of the seats in Baidoa. It was an all-female seat, bringing the total number of women so far elected to 13. We are gradually edging towards achieving the set quota for women, which is part of the 69 seats allocated,” Mr. Sid Ali said.

The three seats remaining, including one that is reserved for a woman, are expected to be filled in the next few days.