Somalia: Lawmakers reject Supreme Court ruling on nullified seats

MOGADISHU, Somalia- Lawmakers of Somalia's Federal Parliament have overwhelmingly voted against the supreme court ruling to nullify results of elected MPs  Saturday, Garowe Online reports.

The Parliament Speaker Mohamed Osman Jawaari, announced that 180 MPs out of 184 MPs attended the session rejected the Court's nullification of 8 members of the House, while 4 abstained from voting.

The lawmakers defended the 8 seats that were ordered to be re-elected in May by the court after the Independent Electoral Disputes body dismissed the voting results over alleged fraud and bribery.

The nullified elected MPs are Abdullahi Mohamed Aden “Shacir”, Mohamed Sa’eed Abdullahi, Mohamed Ahmed Abdtidoon, Nadiifa Aden Isack, Muna Khalif Sheikh, Abdiaziz Salah Arman, Sharmarke Garaad Saleebaan Buraale and Samra Ibrahim Omar.

A total of 11 seats were nullified from Jubaland, Galmudug, Puntland, Hirshabelle and Southwest for failing to adhere to the rules of the electoral process, but only three of them have been re-contested.

Today's Parliament decision against the Supreme Court is a clear indication of new quarrel between the legislative body and the judiciary system of the country, as the legality of the vote raises questions.

On the other hand, the Parliament leadership has declared 5-point procedures that a lawmaker can lose his or her seat in the national assembly, which awaits the final approval of the House.

GAROWEONLINE