Somalia: Lower House elections resumed in regional states

KISMAYO, Somalia– Somalia’s federal states of Puntland, Galmudug and Jubbaland have today resumed poll sessions to elect candidates for the upcoming Lower House chamber of Federal Parliament, Garowe Online reports.

The polling kicked off in the capital cities of the regional states, where the delegates have arrived at the venues to cast votes among contenders of the lower house seats.

The security of the venues has been tightened by the security forces, as they blocked all the roads that led to the areas of the election, reports said.

In Kismayo city, the headquarters of Jubbaland state, 6 MPs are expected to be voted for in today's election, making the total of MPs elected so far 32 out of 42 seats quota allocated to the state.

In Adado town, the headquarters of Galmudug Interim administration in central Somalia, 6 MPs will be voted for in today’s polling, thus electing 9 candidates out of the 36 seats for Galmudug.

However, the ballot resumed in Puntland state after one week break, as so far 12 seats were elected out of a total of 40 seats.

According to the Somali election, Lower House election was set to take place between October 23 and November 10, as the new lawmakers will vote for the new Somali President in November 30.

As the presidential election approaches amid failure to meet parliamentary deadlines, fears looms over renewed delays to the Somali election.

 GAROWEONLINE