The United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNSOM) concluded a two-day training workshop on election reporting for journalists based in Kismaayo today. The training workshop was the latest in a series of UNSOM-sponsored workshops for local journalists on the forthcoming electoral process.

During the initial training on election reporting held in Mogadishu on 21 and 22 August, UNSOM Spokesperson Joseph Contreras said the workshops are designed to help explain the unique 2016 electoral process to the journalists.

The UNSOM Spokesperson noted that the United Nations views this year’s electoral process as a vital stepping stone towards one-person, one-vote elections in 2020 and a major improvement over the 2012 electoral process.

Topics addressed during the workshops include tips and techniques for covering the electoral process, the electoral calendar, the UN’s role in the process and a draft code of conduct for journalists.

“This training aims to improve the quality of the journalists and to guide them on elections reporting. We have presented concepts about the electoral process so that the journalists can do their work more professionally,” said UNSOM Public Information Officer Mohamed Elmi.

In contrast to the 2012 electoral process, this year’s voting will involve many more Somalis and take place in regional and state capitals as well as in Mogadishu. A 58-member upper house of the federal parliament will be chosen by state assemblies while electoral colleges consisting of 51 delegates each will select the 275 members of the lower house of parliament.

The new parliament is scheduled to vote on presidential candidates on 30 October.

The journalists’ workshop was organized by the Strategic Communication and Public Affairs Group of UNSOM.