Somalia: Soldiers block polling station in HirShabelle state

BELEDWEYNE, Somalia - Government soldiers on Monday blocked the entrance to a major polling station in Lamagalay district where delegates are expected to vote for Lower House members, with the election expected to be fiercely contested.

Reports indicate that soldiers have recently been protesting against the manner in which the exercise has been conducted within the country by leaders from HirShabelle. The seat under question is HoP059.

According to sources, there is a standoff whether the seat should be reserved for women or it should be open to all candidates who are interested. Currently, the seat is held by Samira Hassan Abdulle, a woman who was elected in 2017.

Yusuf Debageed, the current Vice President of HirShabelle, is backing the re-election of Samira Abdulle, thus pushing for the seat to be preserved for women. The VP has also been at loggerheads with President Ali Gudlawe.

The troops blocked the road demanding the race to be open to all candidates despite the seat being preserved for women in 2017. There is also unsettled that the incumbent is married to the Speaker of Somalia's Federal Parliament, Mohamed Mursal Sheikh Abdurahman.

Further reports indicate the soldiers have cordoned off the road to the polling station, accusing SEIT of failing to listen to the voice of the majority. It's unclear if Monday elections will go on as planned or it will be postponed.

At least seven candidates have registered for the election, some of whom are influential in Somali politics. Some of those running are;Abdullahi Mohamed Ali Sanbaloshe, Yonis Mohamed Nur, Ali Abdullahi Osoble, Abdulkadir Hussein Olow, Mohamud Afdhub Makaran, Abdullahi Ahmed Hussein, and Ubah Ali Shegow.

Last week, twin blasts left at least 50 people dead and dozens of others severely injured. The country delayed elections following differences between the government and opposition politicians.

GAROWE ONLINE