Somalia sets another date for presidential polls after four postponements

Somalian authorities have set February 8, 2017 as the new date for the presidential elections which have been postponed four times since last year.

The electoral commission announced the new date in a statement on Wednesday.

The reason for the postponements was due to the delay in the parliamentary elections which were marred by voter irregularities, corruption and election reforms.

283 Members of Parliament took their oaths of office a day before the previous December 28 presidential election date while the elections for both houses of parliament were ongoing due to the increase in seats of the Upper House in contravention with the country’s constitution.

The United Nations, African Union, European Union and international partners have expressed concern over the decision by Somalia’s National Leadership Forum (NLF) to add 18 seats to the Upper House.

Members of the two houses of parliament will elect the president on February 8 if the parliamentary elections are completed.

Among the presidential candidates are the incumbent President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud.