BRUSSELS, (KUNA) — The EU criticised here Friday the one month delay of the Presidential elections in Somalia saying it “puts in question the Somali authorities’ unequivocal commitment to the electoral process.” Somalia’s elections were slated to begin last weekend but the government announced that the country’s parliamentary elections have been pushed to October 23 and the presidential vote has been rescheduled for November 30.
An EU foreign affairs spokesperson in a written statement here today noted that this “marks a second extension going beyond the constitutionally mandated term limits.” “Any further delay would undermine the legitimacy of the institutions and the new timeline should not provide the space for manipulation and disruption by spoilers,” warned the EU.
“The electoral process must mark a clear change in scope from the process in 2012 and be more inclusive, transparent and credible; an indispensable step towards a democratic, united and stable Somalia at both federal and regional level,” it added.
Source: KUNA
