A group of Somali opposition Presidential candidates has rejected the government’s plan for upcoming elections, a move observers say could result in yet another delay for the Somali polls.
The opposition Council of Presidential Candidates, CPS released a statement saying they reject a new election roadmap proposed by the Federal Government and regional leaders.
While arguing that the process would give five regional leaders too much power in selecting the electoral delegates who will choose 275 members of parliament, opposition leader, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said there is need for a clear path towards the process.
The former head of state adds they don’t want another delay on the polls, which were already delayed twice before, and thus demands a clear timetable.
The election of the parliamentarians is scheduled to commence early next month before the presidential poll scheduled for October 10th.
Somalia’s election process was originally scheduled to start last year, but has been repeatedly delayed by political disagreements, in spite of pressure from the international community.
In April, Somali lawmakers voted for an extension of the president’s mandate, only to reverse that decision in May following violent clashes between opposition and government supporters in the capital Mogadishu.