Corruption And Voter Intimidation Mar Somalian Election 2016

Somalian Election 2016

Massive cases of corruption and voter intimidation have marred the ongoing parliamentary elections in Somalia, the auditor general has told the BBC.

Bribes of between $1,000 – $5,000 (£800; £4,000) have been paid, Gen Nur Farah Jimale said.

The BBC has also learned that some candidates have been offering bribes of up to $1.3m (£1m) to secure votes.

Indirect elections have been taking place since October as the country remains too unsafe for a national vote.

Much of the country is still under the control of Islamist militant group al-Shabab, which is affiliated to al-Qaeda.

Gen Nur told the BBC Somali Service that some seats should be re-run because money had been used to “out-manoeuvre” other candidates, in some cases, meaning all but one candidate had withdrawn.

Cases of government resources being used in the election have also been documented, he said.

-Myjoyonline

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