MOGADISHU (SD) – A consultative forum on preparations for the lower house elections and its budget has today opened in Somali capital, Mogadishu.

In a brief statement, the office of Somali prime minister said the meeting which is chaired by Prime minister Roble Mohamed Hussein Roble brings together all the five Federal Member States including Benadir Regional Administration (BRA).

Galmudug’s President, Ahmed Qoorqoor, Jubbaland’s Leader, Ahmed Madobe and SouthWest’s President, Abdiaziz Laftagreen have all arrived in the capital for the meeting.

The forum will focus implementation of the upcoming elections, the preparation of the election procedures of the Parliament as well as securing funds for the election.

Somalia is expected to hold Lower House and presidential elections in the forthcoming months.

Today’s meeting amid Federal Indirect Elections Team (FIET) split into groups over recently released electoral procedure.

Chairman of Somalia’s Electoral Commission, Mohamed Hassan Irro had accused some of Somalia’s regional governments of putting undue pressure on members of FIET.

He called on state governments to protect the commission’s independence.