Last group of presidential hopefuls to address Parliament as election venue moved to UN compound
The last batch of eight presidential candidates will pitch their case before parliament today marking the end of the three day exercise as the country readies for the February 8 poll.
At least 15 candidates have addressed the House in a 30 minutes presentation each elaborating their manifesto and preferences. Among them are Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Sharmarke and former Mogadishu mayor Mohamed Ahmed Nuur Tarsan.
Security, economic recovery, peace and reconciliation are some of the cross cutting issues the candidates have pledged to in the speeches.
Elsewhere the Presidential Election Committee has acceded to the candidate’s request that the election be conducted inside the airport compound moving it from the police academy which had earlier been designated as the venue.
PEC chairperson Abdirahman Duale Beyle confirmed Sunday the election will be held at the Halane area which hosts the UN and Amisom headquarters.
The candidates will proceed to a live television debate Monday two days before the election starts.
Meanwhile security has been beefed up in many parts of the city with major roads closed. Both Amisom and Somali forces are manning major parts of the city to ensure the election is conducted in safely amid fears the militant group Al-Shabaab could attempt a disruption.
The following is a list of candidates who will address the House today:
- Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke
- Mohamud Mohamed Ulusow
- Mohamed Ahmed Jabarti
- Mohamed Abdullahi Mohamed Farmaajo
- Mohamed Ali Nuur Ameriko
- Mohamed Ahmed Nuur Tarsan
- Mohamed Abdirisaq
- Haaji Mohamed Yasin Ismail