The Electoral law gains more support

On Thursday, 12^th September 2019, EISA hosted the Parliamentary Ad hoc Committee mandated to prepare the electoral law expected to guide the universal suffrage elections slated for 2020/2021 in Somalia. The meeting discussed EISA’s support for the crucial mandate of the Committee.

Led by the Chairperson, Honourable Abdullahi Abukar Hagi, the Committee was taken through a presentation of EISA’s work since 2014 when EISA established its office in Somalia “EISA carries over 25 years of experience in peacebuilding processes and remains committed to its support towards a towards a democratic, unified and peaceful Somalia”, mentioned Mukenyi Badibanga, EISA Somalia’s Country Director.

The Committee explained its mandate while highlighting the progress made to date, welcoming EISA’s support for the road ahead. “We appreciate the commitment of EISA and mostly its approach and willingness to accompany us in fulfilling the noble mandate bestowed upon us by the Parliament to work on the Electoral law, an important instrument within the Somali legal framework, to enable the conduct of the upcoming one-person-one-vote elections”, mentioned Honourable Abdullahi Abukar Hagi.

EISA officials and Parliamentary Ad hoc Committee members during a meeting in Mogadishu Sept 12, 2019. Photo: EISA

Following the discussion on the nature of support and collaboration, the two parties will engage further in days to come in regard to the details of EISA’s support based on the workplan of the Committee.

The Parliamentary Ad hoc Committee was represented by the Chairperson, Hon. Abdullahi Abukar Hagi, the Deputy Chairperson, Hon. Mohamed Omar Eymoy, the Secretary-General, Hon. Ahmed Hagi Taaw, and Hon. Khalid M Abdulkadir.

EISA is currently implementing the programme titled “Support Towards a Democratic, Unified and Peaceful Somalia” known mostly by its short name STAND UP SOMALIA. The programme, made possible with the generous funding from the Swedish Embassy in Nairobi, aims to support state actors, the 2020/2021 electoral process, civil society organisations (CSOs), and enhance the participation of women, youth and the citizenry at large in the political processes.