Somalia: Puntland on the path to universal suffrage in 2023

GAROWE, Puntland - Somalia's northeastern Puntland State is walking on the path to a democratic, multiparty political system and to move away from the clan-based politics, Garowe Online reports.

During their session in Garowe, the 66-member state parliament has on Saturday voted unanimously to approve a proposal to establish a roadmap to move to “one person, one vote” elections in 2023.

The vote came after a special committee consisting of seven members tasked with to study the main challenges to hold a multi-party election in Puntland briefed the assembly.

Since its inception in 1998, Puntland has since held five polls, but, its people are yet to cast any ballots as the oil-rich region relied on a clan-based formula in which the lawmakers were selected by the clan elders, and then the legislators elect the president.

The state's assembly has picked former Somalia's planning Minister, Said Abdullahi Deni as the new president in a closely contested election that took place in Garowe on the 8th January of this year.

The newly inaugurated president who is expected to announce his cabinet in the coming days hopes to make the change for the next elections in 2023.

As part of the democratization process, former Farole's administration has made a significant step towards a multi-party political system to the region for the first time by registering political parties and holding local elections.

The current president has promised to revive the economy, fight corruption and give the first priority to the security of the state which may be another obstacle to one person, one vote elections in Puntland.

GAROWE ONLINE