In Somalia, eighteen candidates have been confirmed to run in the country’s historic presidential election first since 1984. In the year 2012, indirect presidential elections were held in Somalia to establish its first federal government after more than 20 years of political vacuum.
The current presidential election which is scheduled to be held on November 30, will have elected members of both Houses of Parliament choose the president. But this was not the case in 2012; a parliament consisting of a single house voted. As universal elections are not yet possible in Somalia, 14,025 clan representatives who form part of an Electoral College elect the 275 members of the Lower House of parliament while regional parliaments elect the 54 members of the Upper House. Members of the two houses vote for the president in accordance with the Provisional Federal Constitution.
