Federal Parliament Passes Political Parties Bill in Race to Complete 3 Poll Related Laws

GOOBJOOG NEWS|MOGADISHU: A joint session of the Federal Parliament has this afternoon passed the Political Parties Bill as it moves to complete three election related bills before heading for recess.

The lawmakers endorsed the bill which seeks to set the framework and regulate the formation and operationalisation of political parties as the country gears towards adopting political party systems in future elections.

Out of the lawmakers present, 177 voted in favour while one abstained. The bill is part of three pieces of legislations aimed at preparing the country for a transition to multiparty democracy. The others are the National Electoral and Boundaries Commission and the Elections Bill.

The bills are part of agreements reached by the National Consultative Council late last month. The NCC, which is chaired by the president proposed one-person-one-vote model and agreed that elections at the Federal Member State levels to be held on a common date.

However, Jubaland, which dissented has since planned for elections later this month.