Elections to be held in December 2012

Written By:Obadiah Kendagor,    Posted: Thu, Nov 10, 2011

Abdikadir says only the gender balance issue could be considered for amendment to address the one third representation rule in elective positions The constitution implementation oversight committee now wants elections held in December next year. The Committee chair Abdikadir Mohamed argues that the current parliament should be allowed to complete its five year term as provided for by the constitution. This comes even as the committee differed with the executive on proposed amendments to the constitution claiming it is tantamount to mutilating the law. In a departure from its previous position that the next general elections be held in August next year as stipulated by the constitution, the CIOC says there is no other eligible date for the next general election other than December 2012. Abdikadir argued that the tenth parliament has a right to complete its five year term beginning from when the members were elected which was December 2007 interpreting that the constitutional August election date be applied in the next parliament. Interestingly, CIOC is opposed to the proposed parliamentary amendment to the constitution which could provide the avenue to change the clause that dictates that elections MUST be held in August. The CIOC chair said the contents of the proposed omnibus amendments are unwarranted. According to Abdikadir, only the gender balance issue could be considered for amendment to address the one third representation rule in elective positions.