Tuesday May 26, 2020
NAIROBI (HOL) - The European Union has warned the delay of timelines for the electoral commission to announce the election dates could have possible consequences noting it was ‘concerned’.
Reacting to adjustment of the announcement date by a month, the EU ambassador to Somalia Nicolas Berlanga said the EU bloc was concerned it could pose possible implications.
“The EU in Somalia expresses concern at any possible repercussion the new date of NIEC’s appearance before Parliament may have on timely elections,” Berlanga said in a tweet.
The ambassador’s reaction follows an announcement by the Standing Committees of the Lower and Upper Houses of the Federal Parliament to delay the timeline from May 27 to June 27.
According to a statement from the Upper House deputy speaker Abshir Ahmad, Parliament will debate the recommendations from the Joint Ad Hoc Committee on contentious issues in the Elections between June 6 and 27.
During this period also, the speaker said, Parliament will debate the Political Parties Amendment Act.
NIEC chairperson Halima Yarey was set to appear in Parliament tomorrow (Wednesday) to announce the election dates for the election of new parliament and president.
NIEC is also expected to brief the nation on the agreed modalities for the elections and remaining preparation.
The elections for MPs and Senators should begin from October when their terms in office expire while a new president is set to be elected in February.
The Federal Parliament will resume for the 8th session on June 6.