Somalia: Independent dispute resolution body suspended delegate registration

GAROWE, Puntland- In an official letter released by Puntland’s Independent Electoral Disputes Resolution Mechanism (IEDRM) it has announced it has suspended the registration process of delegates-Electoral College-for particular clans in Puntland region on Tuesday, Garowe Online reports.

The decision came following the call of Puntland’s Indirect Electoral Implementation team (SIEIT) for clan elders to bring forward their delegates who will vote for the candidates competing for the seats in the upcoming Lower House chamber.    

During a press conference held in Garowe, Chairman of Puntland’s IEDRM, Haji Abukar Osman, noted that internal disputes and disagreements over delegate members between the clans have led to the suspensions of the process and further stated that the process will be resumed once it settled.  

“We have examined clans’ list of delegates who will vote for the first batch of 12 parliamentarians representing Puntland in the Lower House chamber of Federal Parliament, however, we have received official complaints regarding those delegates,” read the statement. Puntland’s IEDRM has particularly dismissed the registration of delegate for 5 clans from Puntland region.

This comes amid concerns to the renewed delays to meet election’s timetable that is scheduled to conclude in less than 5 weeks.

International community has recently blamed Somali government, regional states and electoral commissions for the recurrent delays, corruption and intimidation in the ongoing electoral process.

GAROWEONINLE