Somalia's speaker elections are being held amid tight security.

Major roadways in Somalia's capital, Mogadishu, have been closed ahead of votes for the speaker of the lower house of parliament.

According to reports, journalists have been denied entry to the polling location, which is a strongly protected air force hangar.

With the election of the speaker on Wednesday, Somalia is one step closer to holding presidential elections after a year of delays.

However, the election has been clouded by a new feud between President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo and Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble over who will be in charge of security at the polling station.

The president wants police to be stationed there, but the prime minister has ordered African Union forces to keep an eye on things.

After announcing on Tuesday that he couldn't guarantee the exercise's safety, the chief of police was fired.

Meanwhile, the government has prevented numerous MPs from Gabaharey and Elewak towns from running in the polls, claiming that their election and swearing-in were unlawful.

Following the expiration of President Farmajo's four-year tenure in February, Somalia has been in political limbo.

He has remained in power despite frequent clashes with the prime minister.