MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Somalia’s opposition said on Saturday that it will not recognize recent parliamentary votes held in a number of regional states, citing allegations of widespread fraud and manipulation.
It came after a number of candidates were either forced to withdraw the race or blocked from running for parliament seats in attempts by regional states to ensure that their allies win most of the positions.
In a statement, the Council of Presidential Candidates, a conglomerate of opposition parties said all of the procedures for the Lower House of Parliament elections had not been followed, risking the country to slide back to civil war.
“The council will continue its meetings and will work in the best possible avenue to ensure that credible and fair elections take place in the country and to save the country’s future, and its state and peace-building road map,” the opposition council said.
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