Regions split between 4.5 and district based options as regional consultative forums close

The regional consultative forums concluded yesterday in Somalia with regions divided between the clan based 4.5 system and the 1991 district electoral college option.

However opinion seemed to shift largely in favour of the clan based system as exemplified by initial findings from Benadir, Middle Shabelle, Hiiran, Galmudug and Southwest states.

In the administrative capitals of Jubbaland and Puntland-Kismayo and Garowe respectively, delegates opted for the district electoral college system defined by the 1991 district boundaries.

The forums were held in Mogadishu, Baidoa, Kismayo, Garowe and Adado, and each had 150 participants from the regions.

In quest for inclusive process towards 2016 elections, Somali leaders of Federal and Regional levels mutually agreed to decentralize consultations into the regions across the country.

The forums which were facilitated by teams from civil society members and federal government collected views from various regions in the country on the best possible electoral options for 2016

The participants gave out their views on based four election types, Multiparty system, Clan Based System (4.5), District Elections and Regional elections.

These results of the consultative process will be presented at the National Consultative Forum which will be held next month.

The Provisional Federal Constitution states that the original four-year term of the current federal legislative branch (the Federal Parliament) of the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) ends in August 2016 while the federal executive term ends in September 2016.

On 19th September this year, Somali leaders held three day consultative conference in Mogadishu where they agreed to establish the National Consultative Forum on the electoral process for 2016.

The conference which brought together the country’s leadership and international partners agreed to establish the Forum which will consist of representatives from the Federal Government, Regional States, Civil Society and international partners which will largely play an observer role.

In a communiqué from the conference said the formation of the National Consultative Forum is in line with the provisions of the 2016 roadmap otherwise known as Vision 2016 and the policy guidelines agreed upon during the High Level Partnership Forum in July.

That agreement was also in line with the call by the United Nations Security Council not to extend the term of the current administration after August 2016.

“Resolution 2232 (2015) from the United Nations is categorical that there will be no extension or delay of the 2016 elections. We also attach importance to the implementation of the decision of the government in the peace process towards the 2016 election,” read the communique in part.