Saturday December 18, 2021
HirShabelle Vice President Yusuf Dabageed. Photo Mustaqbal Media
Beled Weyne, Hiiraan (HOL) - HirShabelle Vice President Yusuf Dabageed publicly announced Saturday that only candidates endorsed by the government will be elected MPs grossly violating electoral rules and the country's Constitution.
Speaking in a public forum, Dabageed said two times that 'only those whom we approve will emerge winners.'
The remarks came amid escalating grievances over the manner in which the Lower House elections are being conducted countrywide. Cases of vote buying, locking out of candidates and blatant endorsement of candidates by government officials have become a common feature since the parliamentary elections began in late July.
HirShabelle State is expected to announce candidates for the Lower House soon. So far, elections have started in all Federal Member States except Puntland and HirShabelle which are yet to kick off the
process.