Somalia to miss elections deadline as fears of presidential poll delay

MOGADISHU, Somalia- Somalia presidential election due to be held in 30 October is expected to be postponed again amid delays in parliamentary election process, Garowe Online reports.

Selection of the 275-seat parliament was scheduled to start this week and conclude on October 10, with the new lawmakers set to vote for a president on October 30.

According to the elections timetable, regional leaders have missed the date set to conclude selection of members of the upcoming Upper House chamber of the Federal Parliament, which was set on 24 September, raising concern that the delay could affect the Lower House and presidential elections deadlines.

Somalia’s electoral body official in Mogadishu, tell GO that regional leaders have failed to submit delegates -Electoral College- lists who are dependent in the selection process of Lower House chamber.

“Delays in deadlines to conclude nomination of Upper House members and delegates are set to postpone elections for 3 or 4 weeks,” official added.

Inter-clan dispute and constant interference by Somali leaders over the parliamentary elections for their own campaign interests are major contributing factors to the stalemate of the electoral process.

A delay in Somalia’s presidential poll could escalate political dispute and threatens the stability of country that faced civil war over two decades.

GAROWEONLINE