Elections have been the accustomed mechanism by which contemporary
representative democracy has been manipulated since the 17th century. it's a
constitutional right that allows citizens to cast a vote on individuals to be
their political leader or representative in the government.
In a democracy, the
election is a tool for checking those who exercise power until the next election
and gives citizens an opportunity to consent or deny how the government has
worked. When an election is held, citizens get their chance to air their
preferences.
To triumph an election, political parties or candidates must sell
their political platform and explain what would be in store for the citizen if
they elect them. People can contemplate and decide if they agree with the
policies and if the political parties or candidates can be trusted to lead the
country.
How can the election deadlock of Somalia be resolved?
I believe that whatever type of election, whether would-be indirect or direct,
holding on time or through political agreement inevitable to solve it, and it's the only route to circumvent violence and political destabilization of the country.
For the last twenty years, Somalia has to transition to a democratic state and election has
been periodically occurring. Peaceful power transfers were the norm. Those norms
gradually boosted confidence among political leaders, but trust nowadays appears
to be lost as the parliament and the president mandates expire on 27 December 2020 and 8 February 2021, respectively, and the election did not take place on
time. The country endures both constitutional and election crises, which have
polarized political stakeholders, parliament, national arm and boiling political
dispute among politicians. That scenario triggered the conflict in Mogadishu and has provoked thousands of people to be displaced from their homes.
However, reaching
political consent is crucial for Somalia's state-building and could boost the
political leaders' trust. I believe throughout that process is the only approach
to solve the election impasse. If it fails, the current effort would be a
massive setback for the country's state-building.
S.N
