Somalia’s Federal Parliament announces new election date

MOGADISHU, Somalia- Federal Parliament’s election committee has announced on Wednesday the new date for the forthcoming Somali presidential election scheduled to be held on February, Garowe Online reports.

According to a document received by GO, the election committee has set the timelines for the registration of presidential hopefuls, live debate sessions on national TVs, addressing campaign’s speech to the Federal Parliament before the ballot

Candidate are set to register between 26 to 29 January, whereas live debate sessions are scheduled on 31 January before addressing campaign’s agenda to both Upper and Lower Houses of Federal Parliament from 2 to 5 February.

The much anticipated Somali presidential election is scheduled on February 8, following recurrent delays since September 10, last year.

New MPs and Senators are set to vote for the new President next month in a secret ballot in the Somali capital of Mogadishu amid security concerns due to surge in terrorist attacks in the past week.

On Wednesday morning, Mogadishu has witnessed deadly twin bombing at Dayah Hotel that led to the killing of at least 12 people and seriously injuring over dozens.

Al Qaida-linked Al Shabaab group has claimed responsibility for the attack as previously it vowed to disrupt the Somali electoral process and since it kept launching sporadic attacks against government officials, security forces and civilians target.

 GAROWEONLINE