MOGADISHU, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- The UN top envoy in Somalia on Wednesday called for consensus on credible and peaceful presidential election in the country's South West State amid divisions among the stakeholders.
Nicholas Haysom, UN Secretary-General's Special Representative for Somalia, said differences among the stakeholders, ahead of the polls slated for Nov. 17 have the potential to lead to violence.
"With this election being the first in a series to be held around the country - both at the regional level next year and national level in 2020 - there is a real need to set the precedent for credible and peaceful electoral processes," Haysom said in a statement issued in Mogadishu.
He called on all parties and stakeholders to work together to ensure that this Somali-owned electoral process proceeds in accordance with the established rules and avoids any behavior which may lead to conflict or undermine the integrity of the electoral process.
The UN envoy's remarks came amid confusion on whether the Nov. 17 presidential polls for South West State will take place as scheduled after the region's electoral officials resigned on Tuesday.
Arfe Ibrahim Aden, chairman of South West Electoral Commission, cited interference by the Somali government as the reason for the resignations of the entire commission officials.
However, the Somali government has insisted that the polls must go on as scheduled and warned of any further delay.
"The mandate of the current administration runs up to Nov. 17, no delay will be accepted," interior ministry said in a statement on Tuesday.
Haysom however expressed confidence that Somali leaders will find a solution, through dialogue, to the issues surrounding this electoral process.
"An electoral process that is transparent, enjoys broad consensus on the rules governing its conduct, and is free from irregularities can only promote widespread acceptance of the results, and avoid violent confrontations at or after polling," he added.
Major contenders for the region's presidential election include incumbent president Sharif Hassan Aden, former finance minister Mohamed Aden Fargeti and Sheikh Mukhtar Robow, a co-founder of the al-Shabab. Robow has since abandoned the terror group.
