Somalia: Puntland President to announce Electoral Commission by January
GAROWE, Somalia Dec 28, 2014 (Garowe Online)-The President of Somalia’s north eastern state of Puntland Abdiweli Mohamed Ali has declared that he will appoint Electoral Commission members in January 2015 on Sunday, Garowe Online reports.
Speaking to Puntland-based independent station, Radio Garowe shortly after the Performance Review Conference has come to conclusion in health ministry complex, President Ali said that he hopes in line with parliamentary consultation to name Puntland Electoral Commission by January: “If I and the parliament jointly agree, I will set up Puntland Electoral Commission in January, it will be appraised and at the same democratization process is a top agenda for [the government]”.
Meanwhile, Puntland leader stressed the need for semi-annual review gatherings.
On December 9, Lawmakers in Puntland parliament passed Electoral Commission bill in an overwhelming vote following amendments and intense debate.
MPs voted out the role of Ministry of Constitution in the registration of political associations and supervision of body’s day-to-day activities.
The original Election bill that was introduced on January 2, 2011 gave due emphasis to the embezzlement unlike the amended electoral law.
On July 14, 2013 former Puntland President Dr. Abdirahman Mohamed Farole suspended Puntland’s first-ever democratic elections.
GAROWE ONLINE