Somali elections run into headwinds as officials decry lack of funds

GOOBJOOG NEWS|MOGADISHU: The much-awaited elections may not happen in time following delays in the release of funds as both the Federal Government and the international community remain mute on the matter.

Multiple sources within the federal and state elections teams have told Goobjoog News the poll process is already facing headwinds as funds are yet to be released. “FIET and SIET officials who went to the regions have returned because there’s no money. There is no activity going on yet elections are nearing,” an election official who sought anonymity told Goobjoog News.

According to the Federal Indirect Elections Team (FIET) official, the teams at federal and state levels are yet to receive any pay despite working for close to two months now. The official noted most of the election officials that were dispatched to the regions returned to Mogadishu ‘since there was no money for accommodation let alone office spaces. Except those from Jubbaland and Puntland, most of the officials from the other regional states reside in Mogadishu.”

There has been no word yet from the Federal Government nor the international community on the financing of the elections. Sources familiar with the process told Gobjoog News the exercise is expected to cost about $25 million.

The 2016 round cost about $14 million with the international community footing 60% of the bill. This years’ election involves close to 30,000 delegates who will cast their vote in 11 polling centres. These figures are double that of the 2016 round.

US ambassador to Somalia Donal Yamamoto told Goobjoog News in May 2020 his government had set aside $6 million for the exercise. But by then, it was not clear which electoral option would be used.

According to the recently released timetable, the selection of the 27,775 delegates is set to run from August 2 through to the 11th while Lower House elections will start from September 12 to August 2.