Mogadishu : Somalia will hold its presidential election on February 8, the country’s electoral commission said on Wednesday, following recurrent delays since 10 September last year.
The vote will come six months after it was originally set for August, following delays in the election of lawmakers because of clan disputes, fraud accusations and organizational challenges.
Candidates are set to register between 26 to 29 January, whereas live debate sessions are scheduled on 31 January before addressing campaign’s agenda to both Upper and Lower Houses of Federal Parliament from 2 to 5 February.
On Wednesday, Somalia witnessed a twin bomb attack targeting a hotel in downtown Mogadishu, killing at least 15 people and wounding dozens of others.
Al-Shabaab movement has claimed responsibility for the attack as previously it vowed to disrupt the Somali electoral process.—AB/IINA