A traffic ban has been imposed and major roads sealed off in the Somali capital, Mogadishu, ahead of a presidential vote.<\/p>\n
MPs will gather at the airport to elect a new head of state.<\/p>\n
On Tuesday evening, suspected Al-Shabab militants launched a series of attacks, with two mortar rounds fired close to the venue where the vote will be held.<\/p>\n
Residents in Arbacow village outside Mogadishu say jihadists attacked an African Union military base there.<\/p>\n
More than 20 candidates are vying to become Somali president, with the top three proceeding to a second round of voting and the top two from that round going forward to a third and final vote.<\/p>\n
Incumbent President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud is standing for re-election and analysts say he is likely to be one of those who goes forward to the later rounds.<\/p>\n
Results are expected later on Wednesday.<\/p>\n
The airport is viewed as the most secure site in the Somali capital and voting was moved there from a police academy because of growing security concerns.<\/p>\n
Wednesday’s security measures will include a ban on flights to and from Mogadishu airport.<\/p>\n
Correspondents said most schools and offices remained open on Tuesday but people had had to walk to reach their destination.<\/p>\n
Analysts say holding the election in the airport environment may also reduce the possibility of vote buying or other corruption in the election process.<\/p>\n
Somalia has not had an effective central government since the fall of the Siad Barre regime in 1991. The Mogadishu-based government is backed by an African Union force, Amisom, made up of more than 22,000 troops and police, as well as civilian staff.<\/p>\n
Al-Shabab has a presence in much of the southern third of the country and has carried out many attacks in Mogadishu.<\/p>\n
It has previously attacked the Somali parliament, presidential palace, courts, hotels and the fortified airport zone.<\/p>\n
At least 19 politicians, as well as civilians and soldiers have been killed in its assaults.<\/p>\n
–<\/p>\n
Credit: BBC<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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