Opposition Submits Direct Election Proposal

Somalia’s opposition-aligned Future Council, a coalition bringing together the Puntland and Jubbaland regional administrations, members of the Salvation Forum and international partners, has proposed a new election framework aimed at resolving the country’s prolonged political impasse.

The proposal emerged following a meeting attended by representatives of the European Union, the United Nations, the United States and the United Kingdom, according to sources familiar with the discussions.

The Future Council said it had formally submitted an electoral plan known as the “Expanded Indirect Election” model, which it described as a democratic, transparent and inclusive framework designed to allow Somali citizens to elect their representatives.

Under the proposal, parliamentary elections would ultimately transition to a direct voting system in which citizens elect lawmakers. Elections would be held in four designated districts within each federal member state, with voting centres located in regional capitals.