Sunday November 17, 2024
Kismayo (HOL) — Jubbaland Electoral and Boundaries Commission has announced the schedule for the region's parliamentary and presidential elections, intensifying tensions between Jubbaland and federal government over electoral procedures.
In a statement released Saturday, the commission detailed the timeline:
- November 18–19: Announcement of new Jubbaland lawmakers.
- November 20: The application process opens for candidates vying for the Speaker of Parliament.
- November 21: Election of the Speaker and Deputy Speakers of the Jubbaland Parliament.
- November 25: Jubbaland's Presidential election.
The Somali Ministry of Internal Affairs recently condemned the committee's formation, calling it illegal and undermining national democratic progress. The ministry urged Jubbaland's leadership to comply with the National Consultative Council (NCC) agreements, which advocate for a unified, universal suffrage electoral framework across the country.
Tensions between the federal government and Jubbaland escalated when Madobe walked out of a recent NCC meeting in Mogadishu, demanding that Puntland and SSC Khatumo be included in the electoral discussions. This request aligns with Puntland's ongoing boycott of the NCC amid its own disputes with the federal government, further complicating Somalia's push toward a unified electoral system.