Jubaland state of Somalia sets presidential polls calendar

KISMAYO, Somalia – Jubaland’s Independent Boundaries and Electoral Commission (JIBEC) has announced the official date for the forthcoming presidential election of Somalia’s southern Federal State, Garowe Online reports.

In a statement dated on August 14, JIBEC said the election will be held next week’s Monday, 19th August while the newly inaugurated 73-seat regional assembly is expected to elect its speaker on Saturday 17th August.

The presidential race was originally scheduled for 24th August, but the vote was brought forward over undisclosed reason. The long-awaited ballot will take place in the port city of Kismayo, about 500 Km south of Mogadishu.

The candidates, who have announced their intention to stand, include incumbent leader, Ahmed Madobe who served two successive times as Jubaland president for six years since the foundation of the regional administration in 2013.

Madobe who fairly won the seat in 2013 is tipped to also win the 2019 elections has remained a formidable force against the militants and his countrymen see him as the beacon of hope for victory against the forces of terrorism.

Puntland state and Somalia’s main political parties have thrown his weight behind Madobe and congratulated the newly elected Members of Jubaland Parliament on Tuesday, August 14.

Meanwhile, the Interior Ministry of the Federal Government of Somalia based in Mogadishu has warned that it will turn down the result of the elections if the guidelines previously set for the polls are not fully followed.

The newly elected members of Jubaland State’s second Parliament have been sworn in on Tuesday, August 13 in Kismayo. The swearing-in ceremony was attended by Somali Federal MPs and Senators.

GAROWE ONLINE