Somali electoral body calls for clarity over funding of 2016 polls

The Federal electoral body FIEIT is warning of challenges which if not addressed could negatively impact or delay the 2016 elections barely three weeks into the exercise.

In a letter addressed to the National Leadership Forum seen by Goobjoog News, the Omar Abdulle led team has raised key issues among them funding of the elections which it notes is not clear when it will be released and how much even as the clock ticks to the much anticipated poll.

The 2016 election budget is unclear; sections of the budget are yet to be agreed upon, the amount and where (to which account it should be deposited) and even the earliest time it should be received and its management,” the electoral body said.

International partners for Somalia last week indicated they would fund 60% of the budget while the Federal Government would meet the deficit from its purse and collections from candidate fees.

“With funding on track, the focus now should be on reaching final agreement at the upcoming National Leadership Forum (NLF) in Mogadishu on key outstanding issues. As time for the implementation of the electoral process is becoming critically short, international partners stress the need to abide by the agreed framework for the electoral process,” read a joint statement.

The electoral body has also noted it was running late based on its work plan. The appointment of members to representing Banaadir community located in Mogadishu ought to have been completed August 7 and has since not been done, the Team has observed.

The fate of Hiiraan and Middle Shabelle remains unaddressed even as the state formation process makes several false starts including the recent meeting which has since been hit by differences between elders and the regional body IGAD.

Polling stations such as Galmudug State will require more security budget including the deployment of Amisom to secure the polls, FIEIT is also recommending to NLF. Mudug region in Galmudug state is controlled by the state government while Galgudud is largely under the control of the moderate islamist group, Alhusuna al Jamaa.

Meanwhile the Federal electoral body is raising concern that a formula for realizing the 30% for women still remains unresolved. It proposes first the number of seats occupied by women following the 2012 vote which is 38 be reserved for women. Secondly, those sub clans with two or three MPs reserve one seat for women failure to which their seats will be suspended.