Puntland State House of Representatives on Tuesday elected Sa’id Abdulahi Deni as the new regional President in coming fifth term after winning the closest candidate in their third round, SONNA reported.
Chairperson of the electoral commission, Abdihakim Mohamed Ahmed said the two candidates who are Sa’id Abdulahi Deni and Asad Osman Abdulahi came in the third round, telling Mr. Deni won in the election.
“Sa’id Abdulahi Deni garnered 35 votes while Asad Osman Abdulahi got 31 votes,and 66 regional Parliament members attending voting, therefore, the winner is Mr. Deni and is the new President of Puntland State in five years ahead”, Mr. Ahmed said.
The new leader thanked regional representatives for electing him president.
” I am very delighted to win in the Presidential election of Puntland State for five years term ahead, I thank the candidate, Asad Osman Abdulahi who contested with me and former president, Abdiweli Mohamed Ali”, Mr. Deni said.
The new leader held position of Planning Minister and became Presidential candidate for the presidency of the Federal Government of Somalia in 2017.