ELECTIONS 2016A CALL TO ACTION

March 31st, 2015

Dear Forum Members, Our Beloved Somali People, Well-Wishers, Partners and
Supporters:
We are pleased to present to you the Forum for Unity and Democracys document, titled
Elections 2016 A Call to Action.
The Elections 2016 A Call to Action proposes Proportional Representation (PR), an election
model which provides a unique solution for our democratic transition in 2016, despite the
challenges of social fragmentation, scarce security apparatus, undefined and non-demarcated
constituencies with disputed population estimates, and large refugee and diaspora communities.
The Forums Elections 2016 A Call to Action - calls on all Somalis, political parties, civil society
organizations and the Federal Government of Somalia to support free and fair elections in 2016
using the PR model. The Forum also calls on our Federal Parliament to adopt a PR election model,
so that we have a legitimate legislature and executive that reflect the diversity and political
preferences of all Somalis no later than September 2016. Finally, the Forum calls on our Federal
Parliament to timely enact the necessary legislations and institutional arrangements required for
elections in 2016.

This is the first step towards free and fair elections in 2016.

Sincerely,

Abdiweli Sheikh Ahmed

President of the Forum for Unity and Democracy

11

ELECTIONS 2016

A CALL TO ACTION
(No. 1)
Somalia
31st of March, 2015

ELECTIONS 2016A CALL TO ACTION

Why Are Elections in 2016 Essential for Our Country?

After more than two decades of civil conflict, our country is at a turning point. Somalis are
yearning for democracy. Somalis rightfully want to participate in the management of their
affairs. Without this participation, our people will not believe and trust their political leaders
and institutions. Women and the youth who represent the bulk of our society have long been
marginally engaged in the governance of their country.
Since the establishment of a Transitional Government in 2000, there has been a need to create
an inclusive and representative government, accountable to its citizens and founded on the
principles of democracy. The establishment of the Federal Republic of Somalia in August 2012
was of a great significance as it marked the end of the transitional era. Despite this, the
legitimacy of state institutions in Somalia remain questionable.
The Somali people inside and outside the country are united in their desire to be governed only
by their democratically elected representatives. The Forum for Unity and Democracy believes
that only urgent restoration of participatory democracy, social justice, good governance and the
rule of law by a representative government can establish and safeguard unity and peace and
stability in our country.
In order to restore legitimacy and stability necessary for nation-state building, it is important
that Somalia holds free and fair elections in 2016. Delay in establishing a legitimate and stable
state structure beyond September 2016 will prolong the present uncertainty and instability.
Elections have the potential to contribute to the restoration of unity, peace and stability in
Somalia, as well as conveying legitimacy on the new Federal Government institutions.

What Model of Elections Best Suits Our Unique Condition?

After thorough consultations, discussions and analysis with experts and stakeholders on
electoral systems, the Forum for Unity and Democracy has come to an understanding and
conclusion that elections in 2016 are implementable through a Proportional Representation
(PR) electoral system.
PR is an electoral system in which the distribution of seats corresponds closely with the
proportion of the total votes cast for each party. PR offers alternatives to first past the post and
other majoritarian voting systems based on single-member electoral areas, which tend to
produce disproportionate outcomes and to have a bias in favour of larger and more powerful
political groups. In a country that is fresh from conflict and where arms are readily available,
disproportionate election results would reinforce existing divisions and may instigate civil strife.
The PR system offers better and wider representation ensuring inclusion of smaller parties and
groups thus minimizing discontent with election results.
The PR model is fundamentally different from the National Conference model adopted in 2012,
which was a selection process by traditional elders. The PR model will empower all Somali
citizens to participate as voters and candidates, whereas the National Conference model was
constituted using a caucus of only 135 elders. By contrast, the PR model will be organized
following the principle of universal suffrage (one person, one vote) through a secret ballot.

31

ELECTIONS 2016A CALL TO ACTION

For a fragmented society such as ours, ensuring the election of a broadly representative
legislature should be the crucial consideration. The PR model is designed to produce a legislature
that is representative of all walks of society. This model will reflect clan, regional and gender
diversity in our governance system.
Within the PR system, a number of alternative ways of implementing the model have been
examined. Experts have recommended the highest priority be given to the selection of a PR
system that is simple to understand and operate a criterion that is especially important for
transitioning democracies such as ours. From that simplicity criterion, multimember national
constituency has been viewed as the preferred option. The experts and stakeholders have also
recommended a closed-PR party lists, in which voters mainly choose parties instead of
individual candidates, as to encourage the formation and maintenance of strong and cohesive
political parties pursuing nation building and unity.

Why the PR Model?

Following state collapse and over twenty-plus years of anarchy, our country is characterized by
social fragmentation, scarce security apparatus, undefined and non-demarcated constituencies
with disputed population estimates, and large refugee and diaspora communities. These
conditions make it difficult for the majoritarian model to be implemented. Compared to
alternative systems, the PR model provides the solution to free and fair elections in 2016 as it
has the following features that answers to the unique circumstances:

Inclusive:
In the transition to democracy, the main purpose for the representatives of the people, both the
Upper House and the House of the People, has been to form a constituent assembly.
The legitimacy of these houses depend heavily on broad inclusiveness and representation of
interests from the different segments of society. The PR system is the most effective in gaining
inclusive representation for a range of groups, rather than a winner-take-all system (pluralitymajority systems), where more politically and financially dominant groups can secure an
overwhelming majority.

All Votes Count:

The PR system allows every vote to truly count. No vote will go to waste and all votes are
weighted equally.

Simple and Transparent:

The PR system allows a voter to cast one vote, which simplifies the voting process and the voter
education requirements and creates a more transparent system. The simplicity of the system
also makes it more operationally feasible to implement and practically avoids delays. In addition,
the PR system is the most cost-effective in comparison to other systems. Hence, the PR model
will allow us to meet the September 2016 election deadline.

No Population Census and Demarcation of Districts Required:

The PR system can be implemented on a single national constituency without necessarily having
census data and the demarcation of boundaries. This avoids the lengthy and controversial
exercise to determine sub-national electoral districts. The PR system also minimizes difficulties
and controversies of population movement within the country.

42

ELECTIONS 2016A CALL TO ACTION

Ideal for Women, Youth and Minorities:

The Provisional Constitution defines the importance of the inclusion of women, youth and
minorities in the political system. The PR system accommodates this goal for achieving fair
representation of women, youth and minorities, as they will be able to vote collectively from
around the country for the party lists that include representatives from their groups. If the
elections were conducted under a majoritarian election system, more powerful contenders
would marginalize them.

Encourages Coalition-Building and Moderate Positions:

The PR system encourages political groups to form alliances around the country and appeal to
as many clan and special interest constituencies as possible. Similarly, this need to appeal to
differing constituencies tends to moderate a groups position and minimizes intra- and inter clan,
group and constituency conflict.

Least Vulnerable to Security Problems:

The national constituency of the PR system permits candidates to campaign with less disruption
caused by localized violence or insecurity. By being placed on a national ballot, the effectiveness
of targeted political violence against candidates is minimized. Similarly, lists of candidates reduce
the ability to individually target and intimidate.

Most Accommodating to Diaspora and Refugee Voting:

Somalia has one of the largest refugee and diaspora communities in the world. The PR
system accommodates a practical response to out-of-country voting. A national constituency
permits out-of-country voters to participate in the process, as their vote does not have to be
counted and located towards a sub-national geographical area. Further, with the PR system
logistics to manage diaspora and refugee voting will be simplified.

A Call to Action!
Somalis now firmly understand that it is their fundamental and inalienable right to elect their
representatives and leaders. With the present security, political and social conditions, the PR
system is the only implementable option for 2016 elections allowing Somalis in country and
abroad to elect their representatives and leaders.
The PR system ensures all walks of the Somali society including women, youth, the disabled and
minorities are fairly represented in our public institutions.
With the above, we, the Forum for Unity and Democracy,
Call on all Somalis, political parties, civil society organizations and the Federal Government of
Somalia to support free and fair elections in 2016 using the PR model.
Call on our Federal Parliament to adopt a PR election model so that we have a legitimate
legislature and executive that reflect the diversity and political preferences of all Somalis no later
than September 2016.
Call on our Federal Parliament to timely enact the necessary legislations and institutional
arrangements required for elections in 2016.