The Federal Indirect Electoral Implementation Team (FIEIT) and members of the Electoral Dispute Resolution Mechanism (EDRM) today held a consultative meeting to agree on ground rules for the 2016 electoral process.

While FIEIT is mandated to implement the electoral process, the 25-member EDRM is expected to handle disputes that arise from the process.

The FIEIT chairman, Omar Mohamed Abdulle “Dhagey”, said the aim of the consultative meeting was to enable the two teams to reach a common position on how to handle the electoral process and complaints related to the process.

“It was important for the collaboration and co-operation of the two committees to agree on a common position to implement the 2016 electoral process”, the FIEIT chairman added.

Speaking after the consultative meeting, members of EDRM said they were ready for the task ahead.

Hawa Ali Jama, a member of EDRM, said they agreed on guidelines and shared experiences on how both organizations can support each other in resolving disputes.

“The responsibilities and duties given to us are heavy. They are difficult because of the prevailing situation in the country. The politics based on clan and the 4.5 formula, that’s where disputes lie”, Ms Jama observed.

She said the EDRM members are committed to handling any dispute brought before them and will use rules and guidelines drawn up by the National Leadership Forum and the FIEIT as well as traditional methods to achieve a peaceful settlement of disputes.

Another member of the EDRM, Ali Hussein Ali, expressed confidence in the body’s ability to handle any complaints that might arise.

Ali said he was impressed with “the huge experience, the knowledge and maturity” of his colleagues. He added that each region of Somalia had picked the most suitable individuals to join the EDRM.

Ms Jama, who said she is the oldest member of the team, noted that she had chosen to join the EDRM despite her health problems.

“I was supposed to go for treatment but I cancelled it for the sake of this team. I want the team to be successful to save the Somali people”, she added.