S. West presidential polls put off for third time, set for Dec. 19

South West state electoral committee has for the third time postponed the presidential election which was scheduled for December 5.

The electoral body which was re-constituted late November after the previous one suffered a quorum hitch following the resignation of some members announced Saturday the exercise will now be conducted December 19.

The polls body cited the lack of adequate preparation for the exercise. State assembly lawmakers are expected to cast their vote for a new president. The assembly is made up of 149 members.

Today’s delay is the third. According to the state constitution, the presidential poll was to take place November 17 but was later put off to November 27 before another round of delays to December 5.

The development comes amid concerns by a section of leader s from the region following deployment of federal police to the capital Baidoa Friday. The Federal Government, however, had indicated earlier it would cooperate with South West administration to bolster security in the southwestern state capital during the polls.