Somalia’s bicameral Parliament has approved a set of laws governing political parties, elections, and the establishment of the National Electoral Commission, a crucial step towards holding universal suffrage elections in the country.
In a joint session, the House of the People and the Upper House endorsed the Political Parties Law, the Electoral Law, and the law establishing the National Independent Electoral Commission. These laws pave the way for Somali citizens to freely and fairly elect their representatives at various levels of government.
The approved laws are based on principles enshrined in the Provisional Constitution, including upholding political rights of citizens, ensuring a transparent and understandable electoral process, and empowering the National Independent Electoral Commission to oversee the elections.
With these legal frameworks in place, Somalia is poised to transition towards a multiparty democratic system, allowing citizens who meet the constitutional criteria to exercise their right to vote and be elected to public office.
The passage of these laws marks a significant milestone in Somalia’s efforts to consolidate its democratic institutions and advance the political rights of its citizens.
