MOGADISHU (SD) – Former Somali Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke spoke about the upcoming parliamentary elections in the country, and expressed concern over the conduct of the elections, in the wake of a recent agreement.

Omar Abdirashid said the electoral process is more powerful than the country’s electoral procedures, and that this could lead to the election of preferred MP’s.

The former Somali prime minister said the electoral process had empowered regional administrations to loot parliamentary seats, and warned that such a move would cast doubt on government rules.

“The deliberate looting of tribal seats has led to a lack of control over the election process. The regional governments should not have the power to pick delegates, clans should be independent in that regard, ”said Omar Abdirashid.

Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke accused the regional administrations of hand picking the delegate selection committees, instead of the communities with the seats being free to choose the delegates.

The statement from the former Prime Minister of Somalia came as the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation said that the election process #Hop166 is being rigged, and criticized Puntland.