Jubaland sets Thursday date for Senate election

The election for the country faces delays due to Farmajo's failed leadership that led to an unprecedented political crisis in the Horn of Africa country. 

News Keydmedia Online
19 October 2021

MOGADISHU, Somalia - Jubaland state has set October 21 as the date to pick four senate seats, marking the end of its journey to send 8 senators to next Somalia's Federal parliament.

The vote on Thursday will see the election of four remaining seats to represent the regional state with two seats locked for four female candidates to preserve the 30% quota for women.

According to the power share, the 54 Upper House seats were divided among the five Federal States in Somalia with Puntland and Somaliland allocated 11 senators the rest get 8 seats.

Somalia’s parliament consists of 329 MPs, proportioned based on the country’s controversial clan system 4.5 of four big tribes and the minorities. The house's term is four years.

This is the second time Somalia elects senators since the creation of the chamber in 2016 to represent the interests of the regional states in the central government in Mogadishu.

The election for the country faced three-time delays due to Farmajo's failed leadership and corruption that led to an unprecedented political crisis in the war-torn Horn of Africa country. 

Somalia's elections are rife with corruption and bribery, with each seat in parliament costing at least half a million dollars while some cost more than a million due to their stiff race.

The candidates for the Senate pay $20,000 for men, and women pay half. The indirect election paved the way for vote-rigging as the candidates with deep pockets get the opportunity.

KEYDMEDIA English