Parliament Okays Rules on Debate of Three Election Bills in Joint Sitting

GOOBJOOG NEWS|MOGADISHU: The Federal Parliament has approved the rules and regulations guiding the debate on three bills tabled by the executive necessary to oversee the execution of universal elections at state and federal levels.

In a joint sitting Monday, both the senate and the Lower House approved the rules and endorsed the 15 member committee tasked with leading the process. The joint committee is chaired by Mahdi Mohamed Guled, MP.

President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud asked parliament last month to delay its recess by a month to expedite debate and passage of the election laws.

Interior and Federalisation Minister Ali Hoosh tabled the bills before the joint session. The bills are Elections Amendments Bill, National Independent Elections and Boundaries Commission Amendment and the Political Parties Amendment Bill.

The bills are being amended in line with the agreements reached by the National Consultative Council late last month. The NCC, chaired by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud among others proposed that the country adopts one-person-one-vote (OPOV) electoral system and that election timelines at the Federal Member State level be unified.

Effectively, the NCC proposed that district council elections be held in June 2025 followed by FMS parliamentary and presidential elections in August of the same year. However, Jubaland has announced it will go ahead with its elections this year while Puntland has given the NCC a wide berth.