Somalia Leaders agree on new timetable for 2016 polls
MOGADISHU, Somalia-Federal Electoral Implementation Team (FEIT) has announced a new election timetable that sets October 30th as the date for Presidential Election, Garowe Online reports.
Earlier on Saturday, a schedule emailed to Garowe Online had Presidential election slated for November 7th.
Electoral Preparations are also poised to begin on August 10th, FEIT said in statement on Sunday. Federal Electoral Commission worked out the new timetable alongside international diplomats in Mogadishu.
Western donors have for long been baffled by the slow pace of electoral process.
Poll budget was a sticking point in talks between Somali political leaders and international community as of Saturday as Somalia wants costs fully covered by international partners.
Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, Parliament Speaker Mohamed Sheikh Osman (Jawari), Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke and the leaders of Puntland, Galmudug, Southwest State and Jubaland have attended the leadership forum at the heavily-fortified compound, Villa Somalia.
GAROWEONLINE