The Somali parliament has failed to elect a new president during the first round of the presidential election on Sunday as 4 candidates with the highest number of votes compete against one another, according to Dalsan radio. 

Out of the 36 candidates, none required two-thirds of the votes during the first round. 

President Said Abdulahi Deni of the Puntland region of the country lead the first round, securing 65 votes.

Deni was followed by President Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed - or, Farmaajo - who secured 59 votes.

Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, the ex-President, enjoyed 52 votes, while ex-Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire earned 47. The numbers gave them the opportunity to run for president in the second round. 

The second round will begin soon.

The elections took place at an airport hangar in Mogadishu, which is protected by African Union Mission peacekeepers in Somalia (AMISOM).

On Sunday, media reports revealed that the airport was shelled with mortars. Last month, a similar incident happened in the Somalian parliament, for which the terrorist group Al-Shabaab claimed responsibility.