Somaliland’s Lower House lowers Age of Candidacy

[Ismail_Boss]

HARGEISA — Somaliland’s Lower House of Parliament on Tuesday approved amendments to the constitution that will reinforce the role of youth in public and parliamentary life.

Only half of the 82 members were present for the vote and 34 endorsed the new bill that will determine the age at which a person may be eligible to stand for general election.

The current minimum age for a person to be eligible for elective office is 35 which many youth rights groups labelled as unjustified age discrimination.

In today’s session the parliament argued it was important for the youths to take part in decision making and have their voice heard. The parliament lowered the minimum age of candidacy for the Lower House to 25.

The youths in the country welcomed the decision and said it gives them new hope to make other changes as well in Somaliland’s political system.

[KyrieJama]

Mashallah SONYO deserves all the accolades.

[Methylamine]

It used to be 35 Even 25 is still a bit old; should be 18-20

[2ndtoNone]

So in somaliland people can vote at 18 years of age but can not represent their people, town and regions untill they're 25!... that fuked up walle. Either raise the voting age to 25 or lower the age of candidatcy to 18. That is fair in my book.

The youth of somaliland should NOT ACCEPT this mallarky policy.

[Saraxnow]

What is an 18-year-old doing in the parliament? He/She should be going to uni. 25 is young enough

[KyrieJama]

What is an 18-year-old doing in the parliament? He/She should be going to uni. 25 is young enough

Your right 18 lol i believe 25 is a lot is too young. I believe a man should be married with kids in order to hold a political post, and gain experience a 25 year old is fresh out of university building a family and becoming a man should be his/her main priorities not entering politics it's pretty absurd if you think about. I'll be 25 in two months, and the last thing i'm thinking is being a politician i can't imagine anybody at my age being able to handle public funds you have to be extremely mature and responsible.