Somalia: Rival leaders agree to defer elections | Reuters

Somalia’s feuding leaders agreed on Thursday to extend the mandate of both government and parliament for a year and hold elections by August next year.

The mandate for Somalia’s latest transitional government was meant to expire in August but President Sheikh Sharif Ahmed, a former Islamist rebel leader, and speaker Sharif Hassan Sheikh Aden, who covets the top job, had been at loggerheads over what should happen then.

“We agree to defer elections of the President and the Speaker and his deputies for twelve months after August,” a deal signed by the Somali president and speaker in Uganda said.

Thailand: Party could face ban over poll placards | Bangkok Post

The For Heaven and Earth Party could be disbanded if its controversial “Vote No” placards are found to be in violation of election laws, an Election Commission member says.

Commissioner Somchai Juengprasert said that a panel had been set up to look into the contents of the party’s placards, erected around town, that feature animals in suits. The inquiry committee is a joint effort between the EC and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration.

The probe follows the EC’s decision that the animal placards which were put up by the For Heaven and Earth Party are election-related and covered by election regulations.