JOWHAR, Somalia- In a statement released by Somalia’s electoral body on Saturday, it has suspended the ongoing Lower House elections in the newly established Hirshabelle state following violence at the election center, Garowe Online reports.

Reports said 3 people were injured among them the son of the Vice President of Hirshabelle state after fighting broke out at the polling station in Jowhar town on Friday.

According to an eyewitness, dispute between candidates running for the Lower House seat among them the outgoing Youth and Sports Minister Abdullahi Nuh, led to indiscriminately fire exchange at the polling center that wounded several people.

Consequently, the Federal Indirect Electoral Implementation Team (FIEIT) has condemned the incident and stated the election exercise in Hirshabelle was suspended until the security of the voting centers is enforced.  

FIEIT stated it was concerned about the security of the electoral committee, candidates and delegates and noted a safe environment is needed to resume the election.

Disputes among clans and candidates over the electoral process were reported to have undermined the ongoing parliamentary election, along continuous influence from leaders of Somali government-term ended in September 10- and regional states to back allied candidates for the seats. 

GAROWEONLINE