For several months, Somalia tore itself apart over the organization of the parliamentary and presidential elections. As the country became more and more unstable, agreement was reached two weeks ago on a new election model, and the government released the timetable for the upcoming election.
as reported from Nairobi, Sebastien nemeth
The schedule was eagerly awaited because it had to respect at all costs the end of the parliamentary term and President Farmajo, scheduled for late November and early February. Finally, the election of the Senate will take place between 1 and 10 December, that of the lower house, from 10 to 27 December. The crucial election for the presidents of the two chambers and especially for the new head of state is scheduled between January 1 and February 8. “This calendar is a sign of commitment from our leaders if these dates are adhered to,” responded Abdishakur Mohamed, Mogadishu’s deputy candidate.
End of ordinary suffrage
You will have to pay $ 10 to $ 20,000 to participate. An independent commission of 21 members will finally be responsible for resolving electoral disputes, leaving some time to organize the vote and apply the new system adopted in mid-September. Called “Constituency Election Queues”, it is close to that in 2016, while it is more inclusive but just as complex.
For the lower house, e.g. 28,000 delegates, almost twice as many as in the last vote, elect groups of 101 people in each federated state. Does not belong to any party, each group of 101 Somalis votes in one seat at a time representing a community.
Somalia thus buries its dream of universal suffrage, last practiced in 1969. This project has become unrealistic due to the conflicts and the accumulated delays. Nevertheless, a peaceful election could save the country’s stability.
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