Somali leader warns against weapons in polls after gun incident

Somalia President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has ordered security agencies to ensure no weapons are allowed in and around polling centers during the ongoing elections, two days after a gun incident allegedly involving a minister during voting in southern Somalia.

Parliamentary elections are ongoing in various parts of Somalia. Newly-elected lawmakers are expected to choose a new president on Nov. 30.

President Mohamud said on Sunday only security agencies were allowed to carry weapons into polling centers and that any weapons held by others must be confiscated.

"I call on all security agencies not to allow anyone with weapons to access election centers and around polling centers," the president said in a statement.

His comments came after an incident in which security guards allied to Youth and Sports Minister Mohamed Abdullahi Hussein Nuh allegedly opened fire at opponent delegates, injuring two people.

President Mohamud said the election was a turning point for Somalia and that all efforts must be put in place to ensure the exercise was conducted in a peaceful and fair manner.

"Since this is the first election we are having in more than 47 years, we need to ensure it is conducted successfully," he said. Enditem