UN calls for presidential election free of Fraud

UN Envoy to Somalia, Michael Keating has warned against corruption ahead of Somalia’s presidential poll expected to take place early next month.

Keating, in his briefing to the UN Security Council said that “an immediate priority” is to ensure that the Somali presidential elections take place on the agreed date.

“Unfortunately corruption is a big feature in Somali society, and the election has shown that … because of the concerns about the parliament process and the use of vote-buying, it’s incredibly important that this state of process be done freely and fairly and the abuse be minimized,” Keating said.

The envoy said that the Friday council meeting came at an auspicious time following an extended and exhaustive parliamentary electoral process and just 12 days before the presidential election.

The country’s electoral body is expected conclude the registration of the presidential candidates for presidential election.

Somalia will hold its presidential election on February 8, its electoral commission said Wednesday, after months of delays in a tortuous process for the country.

Over 15 candidates are contesting for presidency including the incumbent Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Prime Minister Abdirashid Omar Sharmarke.