Lower House polls to be held soon, Somalia's PM Roble declares

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Somalia will start holding Lower House elections soonest, PM Mohamed Hussein Roble has declared, in what could not bring to a climax the much-anticipated elections, which were supposed to take place in December 2020.

The provisional constitution dictates that elections should be held in the country within four years but the country declared the polls due to differences among politicians. A final agreement was reached in May this year.

And Roble, who was tasked to be in charge of elections, said he's keen to have elections held within the stipulated time, adding that he's been pushing to ensure the end of the election before presidential polls are held.

"I was tasked with the mandate and my legacy squarely lies on what I am able to do in the coming weeks. My intention is to have elections within the stipulated time so that I can confidently leave the government in peace," he said.

" Lower House polls must take place in the coming weeks so that we end the debacle. I am in touch with regional leaders to ensure the exercise is a success. We don't want cases rigging and so on, let everyone get a level ground."

So far, the country has elected almost 50 of the 54 senators and the remaining 275 slots for MPs will be filled. It's both members of the Lower House and the Senate who will pick the president of the federal republic of Somalia.

Outgoing President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo is set to face former Presidents Sharif Sheik Ahmed and Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in the polls, along with former PM Hassan Ali Khaire and Wadajir leader Abdirahman Abdishakur Warsame.

GAROWE ONLINE