Somalia to begin training electoral commission team

The Somali federal government will begin training members of the regional electoral commissions in the capital, Mogadishu, despite some states not submitting representatives to the polls body.

Representatives from the federal government will be trained alongside those from Hirshabelle and Southwest regions, according to privately-owned Radio Kulmiye.

Jubbaland and Puntland states have not yet submitted the names of their representatives to the electoral commission.

The two regions have opposed the electoral body appointed by the federal government and demanded the withdrawal of government forces from the south-western Gedo Region.

Parliamentary elections that were scheduled for 1 December have been delayed.