South West, Galmudug oppose FIET’s decision of swearing-in elected MPs

GOOBJOOG NEWS/BAIDOA/DHUSAMAREB: Somalia Federal Electoral body has on Tuesday announced that it will convene the swearing in ceremony of the elected MPs of the House of the People on April 14.

236 out of 275 lawmakers of the House of the People of the Federal Parliament have been elected so far, with Puntland, Jubaland and Hirshabelle States  missing the election deadline set for 15th of March.

The remaining 39 seats include Jubaland 20, Hirshabelle 13 and Puntland 6, with Jubaland announcing holding the elections for the 16 seats of Garbaharey, in two weeks time.

Meanwhile, the swearing in schedule announced by the Somali Federal Electoral body has been opposed by the South west and Galmudug Administrations, terming the process as illegal. 

A statement by the South West Administration said that it was not aware of the schedule, and therefore the all process was not valid, adding that it would only accept a timetable and plan agreed upon by the National Consultative Forum which came as a result of consultations involving all the States and the Benadir Regional Administration.  

The State further said that the Office of the Prime Minister and the Federal Electoral Commission had “no legal role to play in convening and organizing the swearing in of elected members of parliament, a mandate given by the 10th Parliament as in the 9th Parliamentary elections. last held in 2016/2017.”

Below is Galmudug Administration’s statement on the same:

“The Federal Electoral Commission (FEC) has acted beyond its authority and is in violation of electoral agreements and procedures. Therefore, Galmudug declares that it will not accept a timetable and decisions that are not made by the National Consultative Forum.”

Finally, Galmudug warned of any obstacles to the completion of the electoral process.