UN warns of high profile incidents of electoral violation in Somalia
The international community has warned of increased incidents of violation of electoral rules and code of conduct in the ongoing parliamentary elections few days after the federal electoral body FIEIT suspended elections in Hir-Shabelle and Jubbaland following cases of electoral violence and voter bribery.
The partners which include the UN said they were disturbed noting such developments risk derailing the electoral process and compromising the credibility of parliament and the incoming federal parliament.
“Partners are alarmed by a number of high-profile incidents of disregard for the rules and regulations. These include corruption and vote-buying, and the harassment and intimidation of candidates, electoral college delegates, traditional elders and others,” the IC said in statement Sunday.
The statement follows multiple reports of voter bribery and use of state resources in various states in favour of certain candidates. Sports Minister Mohamed Abdullahi Nuhu was allegedly reported to have disrupted the polling process in Jowhar last week by deploying his security team to cause fracas after the first round results indicated neither of the two leading candidates including him had secured the 50%+1 vote necessary for a win.
Though the process has gone on much better that predicted before, the UN envoy for Somalia Michael Keating warns incidences of voter and candidate’s intimidation, manipulation of delegate’s lists and use of state resources remain a matter of concern and all measures must be put in place to ensure such cases are urgently addressed.
“It would be highly counterproductive if instances of abuse, rule breaking and misconduct tarnish what otherwise promises to be a remarkable achievement,” said Keating. “It is essential that credible reports of violations of the rules and regulations governing this process are investigated by the IEDRM, and appropriate action taken to preserve the legitimacy of the process.”
They further called on elders and regional presidents to support the Indirect Electoral Dispute Resolution Mechanism (IEDRM) in addressing emerging disputes
With barely nine days before the presidential vote is cast, only 112 MPs out of 275 and 43 senators out of 54 have been elected raising the possibility of another delayed presidential poll.