The Somali government approves legislation allowing an electoral system based on one person, one vote

The Somali government approves legislation allowing an electoral system based on one person, one vote

 The Somali Cabinet on Thursday approved legislation allowing a one-person-one-vote electoral system, which some hailed as a “historic” step for the troubled nation in the Horn of Africa.

Somali government spokesman Farhan Jumali said in a press briefing: “The national election law will direct the country to hold elections based on one person, one vote.” Somalia is struggling to emerge from decades of conflict and chaos, battling a bloody Islamist insurgency, recurring natural disasters as well as internal political discord.

The legislation needs the approval of Parliament before President Hassan Sheikh Mahmoud signs it to become law. It also lacks full support from all states, especially from Puntland, which announced the cessation of its relations with the federal government.