Somalia: Lower House polls kick start in Baydabo, Kismayo

KISMAYO, Somalia- The polls to elect lawmakers representing Jubaland and Southwest regions in the upcoming Lower House chambers of Federal Parliament have commenced in their regional capitals on Tuesday, Garowe Online reports.

Delegates -Electoral College- are set to cast their vote among candidates contesting seats in the Lower House chamber and expected to continue along this week.  

According to the National Leaders Forum communiqué, Jubaland and Southwest have received 43 and 69 seats quota respectively in the Lower House assembly.

However, parliamentary polls were scheduled to take place between October 23 and November 10, at the capitals of all Federal member states, but recurrent delays failed to meet election deadlines.  

On Saturday, Puntland became the first state to start ballot for candidates for the Lower House chamber and saw the election of 12 candidates in the first phase of polling session in Puntland region.   

On the other hand, newly formed Hirshabelle state is scheduled to begin its Upper House elections in the interim regional capital of Jowhar town. Yesterday, candidates have wrapped up their campaign speech in front of state parliamentarians and state officials who attended the sessions.   

But unlike Lower House elections, state parliamentary will cast their vote for the candidates competing for the 8 seats quota representing Hirshabelle state in the upcoming Upper House chamber of Federal Parliament.

Another delay to the Somali presidential election in November 30 looms ahead as regional states are failing to wrap up lawmakers elections in its stipulated deadline.  

GAROWEONLINE