Southwest State’s presidential contenders, Shariif Hassan Sheikh Adan and Dr. Abdiasis Mohamed Sheikh Osman, also known as Jawari, have expressed serious concerns about the election voting process. They have submitted an official complaint to the Electoral Commission regarding the election process. The two candidates have received information that some parliamentarians were instructed to take pictures of their ballot papers, which they believe is a threat to the freedom and secrecy of the vote, as well as the integrity of the election process. Shariif Hassan Sheikh Adan, the former Southwest State President, has also accused the Somali Federal Government of favoring a single candidate, which he believes could damage the transparency and fairness of the political competition. He stated, “We need candidates who can compete on an equal footing. If one person holds the position of Speaker of Parliament at the Federal level and is also a Presidential Candidate in the Southwest State elections, it does not create a fair and equal environment for competition.” Shariif Hassan emphasized the importance of the Southwest election as a test for the implementation of democracy in Somalia. He stated that the Somali people deserve free and fair elections to independently choose their leaders. He added, “We believe that a free, fair, and reliable election is dependent on maintaining the secrecy of the vote, the independence of parliamentarians, and the proper application of election laws. Therefore, we urge the relevant institutions to promptly address our complaints in order to preserve the credibility and legitimacy of the election.” The candidates called for immediate action to be taken on their complaints in order to protect public confidence and the legitimacy of the election. They warned that if their concerns are not addressed, it could lead to problems in the Southwest State elections. In response to the complaints submitted by the Southwest State Presidential Candidates, Somalia’s National Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission issued a statement. The Commission explicitly stated that the security of the polling place is the responsibility of the Electoral Commission. Additionally, Special Forces have been prepared for all candidates contesting for the Presidency in Southwest State regional government, in accordance with article 79 of the election law. The Commission also stated that a neutral venue has been prepared, independent of all candidates, and attendance is equal in accordance with article 74 of the election law. Furthermore, the Independent Commission for National Elections and Boundaries has informed MPs that it is prohibited to enter the voting booth with mobile phones or other electronic devices, in order to protect the privacy of the vote, as stated in articles 3 and 56 of the election law no. 28-2024. The Commission urged all members of parliament to abide by the law, cast their votes in secret, and avoid anything that could compromise the secrecy of the vote. Earlier today, Presidential Candidates in Southwest State, Shariif Hassan Sheikh Adan and Dr. Abdiasis Mohamed Sheikh Osman, expressed deep concern over the election voting process. They stated that they had received information showing that MPs were ordered to take pictures of their ballot papers to know who they voted for.
