Mogadishu (SD) – After a three-day conference at the Al Jazeera Hotel in Mogadishu, Somalia’s Union of Presidential Candidates issued a press statement on the start of the Upper House elections and the National Consultative Assembly meeting.

Candidates have expressed concern over the conduct of the Upper House elections, They are also committed to ensuring that free and fair elections are held in the country.

“The council is concerned about how the country’s elections have started. The Council stands for ensuring that free and fair elections are held in the country through a consensus process.” Said the Presidential candidates’ statement.

The Union of Candidates demanded that the process of the Lower House elections be transparent and inclusive, allowing the counties traditional elders to select the delegates to elect the MPs.

“The council has held meetings with the National Electoral Commission (FEIT), civil society organizations and the international community. The Council also held talks with Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble. The Council shares the expectation of the Somali people and the international community that these elections will be better than the 2012k11 and 2016k11 elections. ” said the statement.

Candidates also called on Prime Minister Roble to expand and include stakeholders to the scheduled meeting of the leaders of the national consultative forum to ensure free and fair elections.