Three candidates who were vying for the presidential race have quit the race ahead of Sunday presidential elections.
About 39 presidential hopefuls had earlier registered with the committee organizing the presidential elections including the incumbent president, two former presidents, two ex-prime ministers, former ministers, former AP journalist and a lone female canidadate.
Abdikariin Guled, Abdinasir Adan Abdulle and Dahir Mohamud Gelle have announced that he they were quitting the presidential race, bringing the number of contenders to 37.
Guled, a former Interior minister and former president of Galmudug State, and Abdulle, a newcomer and son of Somalia’s first president have confirmed that they would support Abdishakur Abdirahman’s candidacy.
On Saturday, Gelle announced his quit on his Facebook page.
”I officially announce that I am not running for the presidential election of the Federal Republic of Somalia in this election, and I will continue my efforts to direct and develop Somali politics. I am especially grateful to the parliamentary candidates who stood by me closely during our campaign,” said Gelle.
The Upper House has 54 senators while the Lower House has 275 MPs.
These legislators were elected through specially selected delegates in each of the five federal states, based on a delicate clan balancing act.
