Pass elections law by June, UN Security Council tells Somalia

The UN Security Council has called on authorities in Somalia to pass an electoral law by mid this year to pave way for preparations for the 2020 elections.

In a resolution Wednesday the Council called on the Federal Government and Parliament to expedite debate and adoption of the electoral law and also ensure the elections in Galmudug and Jubbaland are held in accordance with the law.

“[The UNSC] urges the Federal Government of Somalia and Parliament to finalise and adopt the electoral law by mid-2019 and ensure the upcoming Federal Member States’ elections are conducted in accordance with Somalia’s international obligations and commitments,” the resolution read in part.

The Council also urged the UN Mission in Somalia to work closely with the federal and state authorities in preparing for ‘inclusive, peaceful, free and fair one-person-one-vote elections in 2020/2021’.

Federal and state leaders last June adopted an electoral formula for the 2020 elections during a meeting in Baidoa.

However the Security Council’s deadline might be unfeasible considering the process the bill has to go through before its adoption. The Bill is yet to be tabled in parliament for the first reading.

Mahad Salad (MP) told Goobjoog News the June timeline by the UN Security Council is not realistic. “The Bill is yet to be tabled in the House for the First Reading. The House Committee will need at least one month to scrutinise the Bill and again it has to be transmitted to the Upper House,” said Salad.

Should the Upper House propose amends, Salad said, then it will come back to the Lower House again.

The Lower House resumed business Wednesday while the Upper House is yet to re-open.

Meanwhile the Security Council extended the mandate of the UN Mission in Somalia for another one year.