Somalia: Jubbaland state sets to conclude Lower House election

KISMAYO, Somalia- Jubbaland state has started the final phase of the parliamentary elections that is expected to wrap up the selection of its 43 MPs in the Lower House chamber of the Federal Parliament on Wednesday in the port city of Kismayo, Garowe Online reports.

Early results showed that Mohamed Aden Shair, an outgoing Federal MP has regained his seat after the disqualification of his main rival, Mukhtar Ibrahim, the outgoing Minister of Petroleum by Jubbaland's SIEIT over alleged corruption.

Reports from Kismayo city, also said that four women candidates are competing for the last seat reserved for women to complete the 30-percent quota for women candidates representing each regional states in the Federal Parliament.

So far, 21 women were elected out of the 130 MPs elected in the ongoing Lower House happening in the capital cities of the regional states.

However, similar election for the lower House has resumed today in Jowhar, Baidoa and Garowe, with reports that Galmudug state in central Somalia will recommence the parliamentary election on Thursday.

According to the schedule of Somalia's electoral process, parliamentary election was set to end in November 10, as the new lawmakers were set to vote for the new Somali President in November 30.

Renewed delays to the Presidential election looms ahead as the regional states and electoral committees failed to meet parliamentary deadline.

GAROWEONLINE