Forget term extension, polls must happen this year-PM Khaire

Elections must be held this year to avert constitutional and security crisis in the country, Prime Minister Hassan Khaire has said warning against term extension.

Reacting to what amounted to calls for term extension by the electoral commission last week, the Prime Minister told the cabinet Thursday not to entertain the idea and instead prepare for the polls.

“The elections should take place on its time and we must refrain from any idea related to an extension because the extension could lead to political, security and constitutional crisis,” a statement from the PM’s office following the cabinet meeting read in part.

National Independent Electoral Commission (NIEC) chairperson Halima Yarey last week dashed hopes of an election this year noting the earliest such an exercise could take place was March 2021. She added the polls body needed 13 more months to conduct the exercise should the country opt for biometric registration.

Khaire is a likely presidential candidate and any term extension works counter to his aspirations but may be favorable for President Mohamed Farmaajo who may not be running. Villa Somalia has not raised any objections to the NIEC’s proposal.

The international community was also responsive to NIEC’s proposals despite their unconstitutional nature. Sources have also intimated the PM could be joining the Federal Member State leaders at Dhusamareb where they will be meeting from today.

A National Security Council Meeting last week failed to kick off in Mogadishu in what signaled yet another failed consensus between the two levels of government.