This is a crucial election year for Somalia as the national parliamentary and presidential elections are scheduled to happen in late 2020 and early 2021. The national electoral law – approved by the two chambers of parliament and signed into law by the president – is currently the basis for the design and implementation of national elections. This governance brief critically analyzes the limitations of the electoral design such as the lack of definition around constituencies, the ambiguity of election to the Upper House, and the clause enabling indeterminate extension. The brief also discusses the operationalization challenges of the elections, such as designating each seat to a geographic location; the election of Somaliland representatives; the women’s quota; the rift between the center and the periphery; and insecurity. It puts forward a number of policy considerations to help address these issues.

Sanadkan waxa uu muhiim u yahay doorashada Soomaaliya maadaama doorashada baarlamaanka iyo tan madaxweynaha la qorsheeyay inay dhacaan dhammaadka 2020 iyo horraanta 2021. Sharciga doorashooyinka qaran – oo ay dhawaan ansixiyeen labada gole ee baarlamaanka madaxweynahana saxiixay – ayaa hadda aasaas u ah hirgelinta doorashooyinka qaran. Faalladan waxay si kooban u falanqayneysaa iimaha sharciga doorashooyinka sida in aanu qeexeyn deegaan doorashooyinka, mugdiga ku jira doorashada Aqalka Sare, iyo qodobka suuragelinaya in muddo kordhin aan xaddidneyn la sameeyo. Qoraalku waxa uu sidoo kale ka hadlayaa caqabadaha ku hor gudban doorashooyinka, sida u qoondeynta kursi kasta goob cayiman; doorashada wakiilada Soomaaliland; qoondada haweenka; khilaafka u dhexeeya dowladda dhexe iyo maamul goboleedyada; iyo nabadgelyo la’aanta. Waxay warbixinta soo jeedineysaa dhowr talooyin si wax looga qabto arrimahaas.