Somalia’s Federal Indirect Electoral Implementation Team (FIEIT), will adhere strictly to its announced timetable for the selection of representatives to the country’s Lower House, the body’s Chairman Mohamed Abdulle has said.
Speaking at a press conference held in Mogadishu on Sunday, Mr. Abdulle noted that election of the Lower House commenced on Sunday October 23 and will run for 17 days, ending November 10. He said they did not anticipate extending the vote.
“We have started registration of aspirants vying for parliamentary seats who have paid their registration fees. The competition is going to be stiff given the high number of contestants. Initially we expected to have two or three aspirants per seat but we have more than that,” the FIEIT Chairman noted.
Abdulle said other electoral activities underway included issuing delegates with identification cards to guard against fraud.
“A certificate of clearance will also be issued to aspirants who have met the necessary requirements, which includes proof of a clearly marked seat for the clan. We are also going to train the delegates on how to conduct the elections, tallying of results and the voting procedures,” Mr. Abdulle said.
According to Abdulle, 200 local and international observers have been accredited to monitor the process, while most of the logistical requirements are in place. He further stressed that the requirement for a 30 percent representation for women in parliament be met for the Lower House.
“We have started issuing identification cards for delegates for the parliamentary elections and this will be for seats that have no disputes, and electoral colleges that have achieved the 30 percent women quota,” Mr. Abdulle noted.
So far, FIEIT has been impressed with the outcome of the Upper House electoral process, in which, a substantial number of women were elected senators and will represent federal states.
“We have achieved 22 percent of the women’s quota for the election of the Upper house. This is close to the 30 percent set ceiling although it is not yet 30 percent,” the FIEIT Chairman said, adding that numbers had exceeded the expectation of the electoral body.
Members of electoral colleges will congregate in six centres in Adaado, Kismayo, Jowhar, Baidoa, Garowe and Mogadishu to elect representatives.
FIEIT also issued tight guidelines for the electoral process, banning the use of mobile phones and cameras at the polling sites by aspirants, their agents and members of the electoral colleges, to ensure safety and integrity of the process. Access to the polling sites, will be restricted due to space constraints, Abdulle said.
“The electoral body has realized that there is a common perception within Somalis that elections are marred with corruption and malpractices and to curb the vice, the electoral body has issued clear guidelines regarding the use of electronic gadgets such as mobile phones and cameras at polling sites. These will not be allowed,” Mr. Abdulle said, adding that any ballot paper bearing a mark other than that of the electoral body will be voided.
Mr. Abdulle urged the newly formed state of HirShabelle to expedite the electoral process for the just concluded upper house and appealed to Somaliland to take part in the process.