Muqdisho | September 17, 2015 | : UN Multi-Partner Trust Fund Links to past projects: Builds on the UNDP Project Initiation Plan for electoral support established in 2014.
Timeframe: 1 April – 30 September 2015 (Six month initial period) Initial funding request (April – September 2015) $3,004,613* [Includes $ 300,000 in UNDP funds; additional amount requested through MPTF is $2,704,613] Overall Programme Budget: TBD (full project to be developed jointly with Government, NIEC once established, and donor partners; this current submission is to kick-start support to the establishment of the NIEC) PSG alignment PSG
1: Inclusive Politics,
2: Priority
3: Prepare for and hold credible elections by 2016.
Vision 2016 Inclusive Politics in Action Sector context The “preparation and holding of credible elections by 2016” has been identified as a key priority under PSG 1 in the Compact.
The Compact expresses the intention to create an electoral framework that will enjoy broad trust amongst all citizens of Somalia. As outlined in the Compact and Vision 2016 Inclusive Politics in Action, delivering on this priority will require the establishment of a functioning and independent election commission and the establishment of the legal framework for elections, as well as ratification of related legislation (political parties, electoral law and citizenship law).
To ensure peaceful and broad-based participation, outreach and civic education efforts will be undertaken via a comprehensive public communications strategy.
The electoral process must pay special attention to women’s equitable participation as candidates and voters. The Provisional Constitution calls for the establishment of a National Independent Electoral Commission (NIEC).
This Joint Programme is for an initial six months to kick-start support for the establishment of the NIEC and the development of the legal framework for elections.
Once the NIEC is established a full Joint Programme will be developed jointly with the Federal Government to support the conduct of elections and the referendum. Objective(s) The objective of the integrated electoral support programme is to support the relevant federal authorities, primarily the National Independent Electoral Commission (NIEC) of Somalia, to conduct elections by September 2016.
Beneficiaries National Independent Electoral Commission, Ministry of Interior & Federal Affairs, Federal Parliament, Puntland, Galmudug, Interim and Emerging Regional Administrations, civil society organizations, women groups, religious leaders, youth, media and traditional leaders.
Government counterparts Ministry of Interior & Federal Affairs, Federal Parliament and the National Independent Electoral Commission when it is established Funding Partners Initial activities under PIP supported by UNDP core resources, Sweden and Norway.
Implementation Arrangements Ministry of Interior and Federal Affairs National Independent Electoral Commission when it is established UNSOM, UNDP and UN Women Geographic Somalia coverage Description of components The programme is designed to offer phased support corresponding to the electoral cycle, as follows: Phase 1 – Establishment of the National Independent Election Commission (NIEC):
The Provisional Constitution of Somalia provides for the establishment of a NIEC. At present there is no NIEC in place. The initial focus will be on the establishment of the NIEC including the Secretariat.
Phase 2 – Strengthening the capacity of the NIEC: Once the NIEC is legally established and the Board of Commissioners and Secretariat have been confirmed / recruited, there will be a shift in focus to capacity development of the NIEC as an institution as well as its physical establishment. On-going attention will also be paid to establishment of the legal framework for elections.
Phase 3 – Operational phase: Phase 3 envisages direct electoral support to the referendum and elections with the ultimate objective to assist NIEC to conduct elections by September 2016, and related tasks therein, and to build the technical, operational and professional capacity for the conduct of future electoral events. This initial Joint Programme will build on the Phase 1 work undertaken by the UNDP Project Initiation Plan (PIP) which was established in 2014 and which will roll over into the Joint Programme. A full Joint Programme covering Phases 2-3 will be developed after the NIEC is established.
The main outputs of this initial six month Programme are:
1. The physical establishment of the NIEC Support will be provided for the interim establishment of the NIEC and to procure equipment to enable the NIEC to become operational as soon as possible upon the appointment of the NIEC commissioners. Support will also be provided for planning and site assessments for a future longer-term site for the NIEC.
2. NIEC supported to develop capacity to conduct elections and referendum The NIEC will be supported through the provision of technical expertise to develop its capacity to administer and conduct elections and referendum. Advisory support will be provided to assist the NIEC to develop an organizational structure, develop a budget and set in place internal management and planning processes. Electoral experts will also support NIEC commissioners and secretariat staff in strategic planning and preparing for elections and referendum. There will be support for training, workshops and study tour(s) under this output.
3. Legal framework for elections and referendum developed The FGS in particular the Ministry of Interior and Federal Affairs (MoIFA) and the Federal Parliament will be supported to develop and draft the legal framework required for elections and referendum through the provision of legal and electoral expertise. A key component of the electoral law will be the electoral system for Somalia and technical expertise will be provided on comparative electoral systems.
Workshops on electoral systems and electoral law for the federal Parliamentary Committee on Internal Affairs, Regional Governance and Government Security; MoIFA and NIEC will be supported. Roundtables on the electoral system and draft electoral law will be supported to enable consultations to take place at federal and regional levels and to promote broader inputs into the legislation.
A compilation of previous electoral legislation in Somalia is planned.
4. Increased understanding of the electoral legal framework and electoral processes amongst stakeholders Support will be provided for roundtables and workshops to enhance understanding and raise awareness of electoral legislation and electoral processes among the FGS, regions and civil society. A lexicon of English-Somali electoral terminology is planned. These together with the printing of the NIEC law and the development of factsheets and other electoral-related material will contribute to spreading awareness and information about elections.
Description of consultative process A UN Electoral Needs Assessment Mission (NAM) visited Somalia in November 2013 at the request of the Somali authorities, which consulted with a range of stakeholders on possible UN support to the 2016 electoral process.
The NAM recommended UN electoral support be provided in a phased approach, with initial support focussing on establishment of the NIEC. -The original concept to include the UN’s support to the 2016 electoral process within the SDRF was approved at the SDRF SC on 31 August 2014.
This current first phase Joint Programme document is a result of discussion and review by the Ministry of Interior and Federal Affairs, the PSG1 Sub Working Group on Elections, and the PSG1 Working Group. This proposal is for a six month period from 1 April to 30 September 2015 with the intention that a full Joint Programme will be developed together with the NIEC, FGS and other stakeholders after the NIEC is established, and in line with recommendations of a follow-up UN Needs Assessment Mission (NAM) later in the year.
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For more information about this project, please contact the following:
Dr Ismail Jimale, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Interior & Federal Affairs – jimale101@hotmail.com
Abdullahi, Director General Federal Affairs Department, MOIFA, abdulym@gmail.com
Gerald Mitchell, Chief Electoral Adviser, UN Integrated Electoral Support Group – mitchell2@un.org
Joanne Cheah, Deputy Chief Electoral Adviser, UN Integrated Electoral Support Group – joanne.cheah@undp.org
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