Electoral Committee again delays presidential elections

Somalia ‘s Electoral Committee Chairman on Tuesday said the presidential election slated for Wednesday will now be held before the end of December on unspecified date.

The Federal Indirect Electoral Implementation Team (FIEIT) chairperson Omar Mohamed Abdulle said the new date would be announced after the committee meets with lawmakers.

“The exact date of the presidential election is not known,’’ Abdulle told newsmen in Mogadishu.

He added that the election of the new president will take place on the attainment of 184 seats in the lower chamber of the federal parliament.

“Presidential election will not be held on the original date because Lower House elections have not been completed but it must happen before the New Year.

“Some regional states completed the process of the election, while others are close to end next week,’’ he added.

The Horn of Africa nation’s delegates representing clans are currently choosing the lawmakers, who in turn will select the new president from more than 10 candidates, including incumbent Hassan Sheikh Mohamoud.

Somalia is currently short of attaining the 184 seats by just six members.

However election for the Lower House continue in four states, namely HirShabelle, Galmudug, Puntland and South West states.

Jubbaland state concluded election of Lower House members last week.

“The quorum or the minimum number of members of parliament that will be able to sit and conduct business is 184.

“We have got 178 out of the 184 and the remaining 6 will be elected on Tuesday.

“If that happens, Somalia will have a fully functioning parliament that can legislate, elect speakers and can also announce the exact dates for the speakers’ and presidential elections,’’ Abdulle said.

According to the electoral body, newly elected members of the Upper and Lower chambers of parliament will start collecting their certificates from FIEIT from Wednesday.