BAIDOA (SD) – Southwest state is today expected to hold elections of four parliamentary seats in Baidoa town amid Southwest’s state Indirect Elections Team (SIET) and Federal Indirect Elections Team (FIET disputed over the fate of former Lower House speaker Mohamed Jawari who was locked out of the race in Baidoa.
According to sources in Baidoa, Southwest’s SIET has gathered hundreds of nominated electoral delegates who would votes for the seats.
Among the seats include a suspended one which Jawari had sought to contest in. On Saturday, FIET had suspended the election of the seat following the alleged influence from Villa Somalia and State President Abdiasis Lafta Gareen to lock him out.
Hours, Southwest’s SIET rejected the FIET’s suspension over the seat, calling on the potential candidates and delegates for the participation of the process on Sunday.
The two-time speaker and veteran politician, who returned to Mogadishu from Baidoa town last Friday in press conference held in the capital accused Southwest State President Abdiasis Lafta Gareen of planning to lock him (Jawari) out.
The claims by Jawari comes a day after Somalia’s partners called for the ongoing elections for the lower house of parliament to be completed in a transparent, inclusive, and credible manner before the set deadline of Dec. 24.
“We call for full transparency in all related processes, including selection committee appointments, delegates selection, candidate registration, the reservation of seats for women candidates, to comply with the agreed 30% quota, and the management of candidate fees,” a statement issued by the partners reads in part.
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