Somalia Introduces New Electoral Bill

Somalia is a blink away from changing its leadership dynamics. This comes after The Somalia cabinet on Thursday passed two crucial bills that are key to the future elections in the country.

The cabinet proposed the electoral bill that touches on the voting system. The  “Electoral Bill” will see Somalia transition from indirect elections to holding popular elections. The country will now embrace the one-person, one-vote concept.

The bill will give power directly to the people to vote for their leaders. Since 1969, only a few people had the right to vote for Members of Parliaments who would later represent the nation. Currently, clan elders, civil society members, and regional state officers are the ones tasked with the role of choosing representatives.

“Under the bill, districts established before the collapse of Somalia, December 31, 1990, are officially recognized, with residents electing both the mayor and district deputy,” the bill proposes.

The second bill the cabinet proposed was the political parties’ bill. The bill seeks to regulate the formation and operation of political parties in Somalia.

“The law restricts electoral competition at the federal and federal member-state levels to just three political parties,” read part of the bill.

The government spokesperson said this is a historic move that will lead Somalia into a new dawn.

“(This) will give the citizens the power to vote and elect for the first time after 55 years. It is a historic day,” Farhan Jimale said in a statement.

The two bills now await parliament approval before being signed into law by the President.

However, these bills need leaders to embrace them to become law. Previously, similar bills could not see the light of the day after political leaders and parties had disagreements on the bills.

Somalia initially wanted to use direct voting in 2020 but squabbles among politicians and insecurity across the country forced the government to halt the idea.