International community laments protracted House debate on 2016 electoral model

The international community has raised concerns over what it has terms as protracted process to approve the 2016 electoral model which is currently being debated by parliament.

In a statement Saturday, the UN, AMISOM, regional body IGAD, UK, Ethiopia, , US, Italy and Sweden urged the Federal Parliament to swiftly endorse the modalities of the electoral process and called on relevant federal institutions to put efforts in place in readiness for the 2016 polls.

The remarks come amid concerns by parliamentarians over some issues in the proposal by the National Leadership Forum which was submitted to the House on April 30 by the Prime Minister.

Among the contentious issues is the power of federal state leaders to nominate two persons for the Upper House and subsequently sign off the final list of the elected candidate.

The NLF had also proposed a similar arrangement for the Lower House noting the regional state chief executives will append their signature on the final list. Lawmakers see this as an interference of the electoral process by federal state leaders who themselves are interested parties either directly or indirectly.

But the international community has castigated what it sees as delay tactics by parliament observing the issues presented by the NLF were based on national consensus.

“Broad consensus was achieved on the key elements of the model, including the establishment of the Upper House of Parliament and the reservation of 30 per cent of seats for women in both houses of parliament.  We urge Parliament to understand the mounting sense of urgency and to fulfil their responsibilities in an appropriate manner,” read the statement.

The statements also come a day before the UN Security Council visits Somalia to assess the overall security situation and readiness for the polls.

UN special envoy Michael Keating noted Somalia’s political was on hold until the electoral model is approved. “It is essential that this happens quickly to allow legitimate transfer of power later this year. Failure to approve this will send a troubling signal both to the world and to the millions of Somalis who want to see progress towards one-person, one-vote elections in 2020,” Keating said.