Voting continues in four states, two ministers remain suspended

Elections will continue today in four states across the country as electoral teams and states endevour to beat the deadlines ahead of presidential poll slated for November 30.

At the end of business today, Jubbaland will have elected 41 MPs remaining with two as the Federal electoral body FIEIT is yet to issue its verdict regarding the Petroleum Minister Abdirizak Omar whom the Jubbland electoral team recommended for disqualification over what it termed gross violation of electoral rules. Two MPs will be elected in Jubbaland today.

Delegates in Galmudug will on the other hand elect four MPs including a seat which will be contested by women only. The state has so far elected 18 MPs with another 18 yet to be elected.

Voting will also resume in Hir-Shabelle today following a three days suspension by FIEIT after a shooting incident involving sports minister Abdullahi Nur led to a halt of the voting process. Voting for the seat involving the minister remains suspended.

Despite having been the first state to start the exercise in November 5, Puntland is yet to close in on the numbers with only 19 out of 37 MPs elected so far.

A total of 114 MPs have so far been elected while the senate remains with 11 senators yet to be elected from Somaliland.

The electoral body has not to issued communication on when Banaadir MPs, (7) will be elected.