​Somalia changes election venue following concerns from candidates

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The Presidential Election Committee (PEC) has announced it has changed the polling station following an appeal by 18 presidential aspirants for transparency, Garowe Online reports.

Speaking to VOA Somali Service, Abdirahman Du'ale Beyle, the chairman of PEC said the election venue will be moved from the Police Academy to Afisiyoone headquarters, in response to candidates' concern.

He added they took the decision after receiving an official letter by 18 out of the 23 presidential candidates who have expressed concern about security, vote-rigging and corruption of the election.

"In response to Presidential Candidates' demand over transparency, we changed the original venue to Afisiyoone HQ , because we want the ballot for the presidency to be free and fair," Beyle said.

The candidates said they lost confidence the election to be held at the Police Academy in Mogadishu, after the Somali Police chief General Mohamed Hassan Hamud has publicly expressed strong support for caretaker President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.

This comes as Somalia's long-awaited presidential elections is expected to take place this week on Wednesday February 8, with 23 presidential aspirants vying for the country's top seat.

GAROWEONLINE