Former Somalia Prime Minister Urges Transparency in Elections

Sharmarke urged Federal Member States to conduct selection of MPs in a transparent manner.

Mogadishu (PP News Desk) — The former Somalia Prime Minister Omar A. Sharmarke has called on Federal Member States to conduct selection of MPs in a transparent manner. “With the threat of sanctions looming, elections may proceed now. But if Regional Principals are wise & committed to fair elections, they will: embrace transparency, aim at placing the ballots in neutral places such as education facilities & keep the process open to all candidates” tweeted Sharmarke, several hours after the Somalia Aviation Minister Duran Ahmed Farah returned to Mogadishu after he was denied to contest a Lower House seat for Goldogob district in Puntland.

Duran alleged that Puntland Presidency had instructed the State-Levels Electoral Implementation Team to give forms only to select people instead of established traditional leaders. Duran said that the 2016 selections had been more transparent than the current selection process.

Duran alleged that Puntland Presidency had mishandled the 2022 selection process for the new intake of MPs.

Puntland State will start selection of MPs at two venues in Garowe and Bosaso. President Said Abdullahi Deni will visit Bosaso ahead of the selection of MPs to end end the stand-off between Puntland forces amicably and in line with traditional leaders’ recommendations.

© Puntland Post, 2022