Somalia’s National Leadership Forum increases Upper House seats

MOGADISHU, Somalia- According to a joint NLF communiqué, leaders of the Somali government-term ended in September 10- and regional states have decided to expand the Upper House seats following extended talks in the Somali capital of Mogadishu, Garowe Online reports.

Somali leaders convened National Leadership Forum conference for the past 10 days to deliberate on key outstanding issues hindering the completion of the Somali election.

The meetings focused on the controversial nullified seats by Independent Electoral Dispute body (IEDRM), dispute over seats distribution of Upper House for Somaliland community and recurrent delays to the presidential election.

However, Somali leaders agreed to expand the Upper House chamber by adding a total of 18 seats to the Federal member states.

NLF allocated 3 more seats to Puntland, Somaliland, Jubaland, Southwest, Galmudug and Hirshabelle, thus increasing the Upper House chamber to 72 members, which contradicts with the Somali Provisional Constitution that stipulates the Upper House consists of 54 members.

On the other hand, Somali leaders urged Electoral Implementation bodies to expedite the electoral process before the end of December despite the lingering dispute over controversial seats that are considered for re-contest, citing lack of time and to avoid further political deadlock amid efforts to complete the process.

Somali leaders are in standoff with international community who criticized IEDRM for reducing the controversial nullified seats from 24 to 11 seats that have been rigged through misconduct. International community has warned against failure to take action against serious electoral malpractices will have implication for the legitimacy of the government that will emerge from the process. 

Additionally, Somali leaders agreed to set the sworn-in event for the new Federal parliamentarians on December 27, at the Police Academy headquarter in Mogadishu, according to the communiqué.  

Somali presidential election was scheduled to be held in December 28, but delays to conclude the parliamentary election has resulted to postpone the voting for the new President for the fifth time to January 2017.

GAROWEONLINE