Sections of South West poll team oppose suspension of two MPs

GOOBJOOG NEWS|BAIDOA: The decision by the Federal Indirect Elections Team (FIET) to suspend the results of two seats in South West state has caused divisions within the state elections body as some have rejected the move.

One of the commissioners of the South West SIET Yusuf Mohamed Khair said the decision was “We just see this decision as something intended to please someone. The decision to nullify the HOP # 154 seat is (said to be) participation of the young girl alleged to be underage (but) the physique of the person could be different (from age) but the matter should have been looked deeply,” said Yusuf.

The participation of one of the female candidates generated debate over reports that she was underage. Saredo Mohamed Abdalla was elected for the seat.

The FIET suspended Friday seats 103 and 154 pending investigations by the Dispute Resolutions Committee. Former Lower House speaker Mohamed Jawari was reportedly locked out from contesting for seat 103. FIET subsequently suspended elections for seat 103 but the State Indirect Elections Team (SIET) went ahead with the voting.

Meanwhile, the Dispute Resolution Team announced Sunday said it will deliver the verdict on the case against the election of acting national intelligence director Yasin Farey in ten days. The committee had suspended the victory of Farey on November 26.