Committee examines Somalia Election Proposal

MOGADISHU, Somalia-A 26-member select committee has begun reviewing electoral proposal introduced by Somalia’s Federal Government (SFG), and endorsed by international community on Monday, Garowe Online reports. 

On April 4, UN-backed national government and Puntland agreed to a scheme for 2016 electoral process, Upper House, 2020 roadmap, and tight implementation to be closely monitored by international community. 5 of the 26 commissioners named for the proposal review are current MPs, with formerparliamentarians being included. 

The lawmakers kicked off debate for the electoral modality on May 3 as western donors push for accomplished benchmark on time.  

The committee has already dropped points in the proposal, sources privy to the development have told Garowe Online. 

MP Mohamed Omar Mohamed said they are in clockwork meetings to report back to the parliament as soon as possible given limited time in sight.  

Somali election proposal amasses regional presidents with more power, a move met with only a lukewarm endorsement in Mogadishu.  

Somalia Federal Government introduced national election model that garnered swift support from western donors for long baffled by slower pace of the country’s transition from clan-based power sharing formula in January.   

Recently, Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke hoped that Somalia could see election date pushed back by at least two months.  

Incumbent Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is seeking second term in office under a model, UN envoycalled “a midway point between the election of 2012, when only 135 electors selected 275 Members of Parliament and 2020, when all Somalis will have a say.” 

Somalia held first-ever presidential election on its own since the state collapse, in September 2012.

GAROWEONLINE