Puntland State President Affirms Commitment to Transparent Elections Amidst Opposition Dispute

In a decisive statement, Puntland State President in Somalia Saed Abdullahi Deni reaffirmed the region’s commitment to conducting upcoming elections through a direct voting system. This stance comes in response to recent opposition demands advocating for an indirect method, wherein clan leaders would select lawmakers.

Addressing the public from the presidential palace, President Deni emphasized his unwavering dedication to ensuring a timely electoral process. He underlined the feasibility of organizing elections where political parties vie for 66 parliamentary seats, while also electing the president and vice president within the remaining three months of his administration.

President Deni staunchly expressed that his administration’s progress would not be impeded by factions attempting to subvert Puntland’s democratic principles through force. He extended an invitation to these groups, urging them to engage in equitable competition among political parties.

In response to President Deni’s address, the Puntland opposition convened a closed-door meeting. Official statements from the opposition are pending. The opposition objects to the proposed one-person, one-vote election method, perceiving it as a political maneuver to bypass the established electoral process.

The opposition contends that implementing a direct voting system within the remaining three months of the current administration, amid the presence of anti-government militia forces, is not logistically viable.