30/09/2016 (Agence Europe) – The delays built up in the electoral process in Somalia will prevent thethe presidential elections being held within the timescale set by the constitution, and will thus call into question the Somali authorities’ commitment to the electoral process, regretted the spokesperson of the European External Action Service (EEAS), speaking on behalf of the European Union on Friday 30 September. Legislative elections should have taken place on 24 September to allow MPs to elect the president on 30 October. The election of the new president is now scheduled to take place on 30 November. According to the spokesperson, “any further delay would undermine the legitimacy of the institutions and the new timeline should not provide the space for manipulation and disruption by spoilers”. He stressed in particular the need to make the independent dispute resolution mechanism operational. (JK)