MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Somalia’s opposition leaders on Monday warned of “consequences” as a result of rigged election if the prime minister Mohamed Hussein Roble and regional state presidents fail to reverse an agreement signed on Sunday, weeks after Senate votes held by the regions sparked transparency fears.
In a statement issued, the Council of Presidential Candidates, a conglomerate of opposition parties said new procedures for the parliament election is handing the regional states more powers to hold a favoritism-marred votes and called the agreement reached on Sunday “unconstitutional”, which deviates from the May 27 polls deal.
#Somalia’s opposition on Monday rejected a new procedure for Lower House election agreed by PM @MohamedHRoble & regional state presidents – which hands state leaders more powers, calling it “unconstitutional”; warn that “rigged election” could plunge the country into a civil war. pic.twitter.com/oqPDt3G2rE
— Somaliguardian (@SomaliGuardian) August 23, 2021
The new election procedure for the parliament gives regional state presidents power to pick candidates they favor and has reduced the powers of the national electoral board.
Opposition leaders raised fear that a rigged vote may spark fresh violence and could plunge the country into civil war if the government moves ahead with the implementation of the agreement signed with the regional state presidents.
Members of the Council of Presidential Candidates opposed an extension of Somali president Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo’s term in office in April, a move that provoked violence and clashes between pro-opposition forces and supporters of the president in the capital, Mogadishu.
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