National Consultative Forum for 2016 elections launched starday
The National Consultation Forum, including members of the Federal Parliament, and supported by a task force and a technical support team hosted by the Ministry of Interior and Federal Affairs, will draw on input based on a series of regional consultations and civic dialogues to decide on the form of the 2016 electoral process.
The consultation process overseen by the NCF will consist of a series of regional consultations held from October to November, supported by a civic dialogue initiative and national communication activities.
Speaking at the launch, the President said, "In July of this year, the government, including the interim regional administrations and the Federal Parliament, agreed to develop a comprehensive national consultative process to produce possible electoral process options for 2016. Today, we are very proud to launch the National Consultation Forum as the first step in this process.
"What we must make certain is that by August 2016 we have a workable electoral process in place through which the political transition will happen: peacefully, smoothly and legitimately. Today, we have just approved a plan that will ensure that Somalis will have a real say in their own future.
"When I was elected three years ago, I committed to a transfer of political power in 2016. This commitment stands. There will be no extension to either the executive or legislative term. Our constitution demands this, and all of us here today – your leaders - will ensure it.”
The Prime Minister confirmed that time is of the essence saying, "Today, we have pledged that by January 2016, we will have agreed and confirmed an electoral process that enhances the legitimacy of the incoming government. This means that the federal and regional governments, together with the Somali public must stand ready to embrace the process of national consultations and contribute to the electoral process that they think most appropriate for 2016''.
''I have charged the Council of Ministers and the broader government that they no time to waste. The international community will be our strong partners in this enterprise and I am confident they are stand-by mode and ready to assist both with technical expertise and the resources required to support this Constitutionally-mandated political transition,” said the Prime Minister.
The federal Minister of Interior and Federal Affairs, Abdirahman Mohamed Hussein, Odawaa outlined the activities that will be rolled out across Somalia in October and November, this year.
"These consultation forums will be run over two-three days and facilitated by a team of trained facilitators from the Ministry of Interior and each of the regions. Around 200-300 community representatives will have the opportunity to attend these forums. The input we collect during these sessions will be compiled and trends collated, so that this information can be discussed by the National Consultation Forum and inform their decision making.
"The whole process is designed to be as participatory and inclusive as possible in the time and within the resources we have available,” Minister Odawa said.
Once the regional forums and civic dialogue sessions have been concluded, there will be a final consultation forum in Mogadishu held in late this year, attended from representatives from all the regions, and hosted by the National Consultation Forum. This final forum will be charged with recommending the 2016 electoral process.
-ENDS-
Daud Aweis
Spokesperson
Office of the President
Federal Republic of Somalia
Email: daweis@presidency.gov.so
www.villasomalia.gov.so
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National Consultative Forum for 2016 elections launched starday
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmake, Mohamed Osman Jawari, the Speaker of the Federal Parliament and the leaders of the Federal Member State of Puntland, and the interim regional administrations of ISWA, Galmu