Election of deputy PM to parliament suspended over fraud

The suspension came after the commission received a complaint from incumbent Hussein Arab Isse, and instructed the poll body to wait until a final decision comes out in 7 business days.

News Keydmedia Online
2 November 2021

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The Electoral Dispute Resolution Committee [EDRC] says it has suspended the election of Lower House seat number HOP239, a day after deputy PM won the race.

In a statement, EDRC said on Tuesday it will decide on the fate of the disputed seat that was among two seats elected at the General Kahiye Police Training Camp in Mogadishu on Nov 1.

The suspension came after the commission received a complaint from incumbent Hussein Arab Isse, and instructed the poll body to wait until a final decision comes out in 7 business days.

The deputy prime minister has hijacked seats in other clans, with a list of people he wants to become lawmakers in a corruptive way. Somalia's elections have a long history of voter fraud.

The Lower House which consists of 275 seats along with the 54 Senate members will elect a new president in Mogadishu when the ongoing parliamentary election comes to an end.

The country does not have a constitutional court to rule on disputed elections, making it easier for anyone with political or financial power to grab a seat in the parliament by buying votes.

Somalia missed an opportunity to hold a direct election in which people can elect their leaders in the ballot boxes for over 50 years due to the endless conflict and political crisis still existing.

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