Division over LH election procedures ahead of key summit in Somalia

Members of FEIT having a meeting in Mogadishu, Somalia [File Photo]

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Cracks have emerged in the Federal Electoral Committee [FIET] over Lower House election procedure that will be applied in the ongoing parliamentary elections, something that could delay the exercise, which will pave way for presidential polls.

In a statement that was issued on Tuesday, the FIET team seemed to boycott electoral procedures that were initially approved by their office, on the modalities of conducting parliamentary elections in the Horn of Africa nation.

The committee noted that the procedures had not been fully agreed upon by all members, thus the decision to recall them. This now means that they will have to reconvene and come up with fresh procedures which will be agreeable to all parties.

The committee also affirmed that any irresponsibility and consequences will reside with the committee chairman, Mohamed Cirro. They also stated that the aim of this procedure is to disrupt the election process, further showcasing the possibility of delaying the exercise.

In the initial procedures, traditional elders and civil society members have been given the power to select delegates. Each community will be required to set aside one seat for women as one of the ways of achieving the 30% quota.

Each constituency is expected to have 101 delegates who will pick Members of Parliament, who sit in the Lower House. Later on in October, the MPs and senators will elect the president of the federal republic of Somalia.

The members of the committee opposed to the release of the Lower House procedures and requirements argue that the time has not yet come to do so, as the upper house election has not yet been completed, and the heads of FMS and the prime minister will address the issues in their meeting on Thursday.

Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble has invited FMS and FGS leaders for a summit on Thursday to discuss a number of issues relating to upcoming parliamentary polls. The PM is expected to arrive in the country on Thursday from his Cairo trip.

Even before the Lower House polls kick-off, various states have started charging candidates. At least $10,000 is charged for male candidates, while female candidates must pay $ 5,000 in registration fees.

The move comes when the Union of presidential candidates on Sunday issued a statement calling to limit the power of FMS leaders on parliamentary polls. The states make determinations on senatorial polls, which take place in regional assemblies.

"The 17 September agreement was already a challenge for the signatories to continue to handle the process with maturity. Now focusing to amend that agreement for the purpose of gaining a tactical advantage over others, will be a severe step towards election fraud and instability," former PM Omar Sharmarke warned the country's politicians.

Somalia was initially set to hold elections last year in December but the exercise was delayed following differences involving FGS and FMS leaders. Outgoing President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo is set to defend his seat.

GAROWE ONLINE