Tuesday July 20, 2021
Mogadishu (HOL) - The Council of Presidential Candidates has expressed doubts if Somalia can hold credible polls on time.
The council raised these concerns in a press statement issued after a meeting in Mogadishu on Sunday to "seriously assess the situation in the country and the electoral process in particular."
The council presented five points that highlighted the difficulties facing organizers in holding indirect polls.
1. Lack of control over the stalemate in the process of electing members of parliament from Somaliland. There are currently two competing electoral commissions.
2- The situation in the Gedo region has not yet been resolved to the satisfaction of all parties.
3. The political and security challenges in the Hiiran region of Hirshabelle region have not yet been resolved to ensure free and fair elections.
4. Election finances have not yet been earmarked.
5- The preparations for the election of the members of the Upper House are very low, which casts doubt on the FEIT's electoral schedule.
The Council of Presidential Candidates said that unless electoral organizers addressed the above challenges immediately, it could lead to delays in free and fair elections.
The council also expressed concern about "interference by outgoing President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo" in the country's electoral process.
They called on the Somali federal government and the regional authorities to urgently tackle the current challenges.