Speaking to the media on Wednesday, President Hassan Shaikh Mahmoud has urged stakeholders to respect candidates’ rights and elections roadmap, Garowe Online reports. “We are ahead of a critical time as the country will prepare for an inclusive electoral process for the first time in 47 years, its utmost necessity for the Federal and State electoral implementation committees to conform to the elections roadmap,” said Mahmoud.
Mahmoud noted the commitment of Federal government, regional states and designated electoral implementation committees of the timetable set for the upcoming parliamentary and presidential elections. He appealed to the relevant entities to collaborate and push efforts to ensure timely and fair elections.
Somalia will start parliamentary elections of both chambers-Lower and Upper Houses in end of September, which will conclude with the election of Parliament Speaker on 25 October, while the new lawmakers will vote for the new president on 30 October. Mahmoud also stressed on the importance of respecting the rights of candidates and the role of traditional elders, clan delegates and electoral committees.