President Muse responds to opposition parties on their concern over new SLNEC members

President of Republic of Somaliland H.E Muse Bihi Abdi, on Wednesday speaking at the World Food Day, responded to complaints raised by opposition parties against members nominated by him to the new Electoral Commission.

The President pointed out that the government will accept the decision coming from the House of Representatives concerning those members the president selected for the Electoral Commission.

All the three members selected by Somaliland President Muse Bihi Abdi for the National Electoral Commission are strongly opposed by the opposition parties Waddani and UCID.

The president Bihi said that “The two opposition parties have already submitted their two nominees as permitted by law and the government didn’t interfere with their selection, claiming that all are subject to the law and the House of Representatives are tasked with reviewing all nominees selected by all stakeholders. The President also said that the house of Elders submitted their two nominees and  he didn’t interfere because all must respect the law,

President Muse Bihi said that he has no powers to reject or stop, only to offer advice where necessary.

The President added that those nominated will be referred to the Parliament which will in turn vote if they fit the criteria required.

President Bihi selected three individuals to include the seven-member of the electoral commission, but the opposition contested the selections for different reasons.

The President selected Ms Kaltuun Sheikh Hassan Abdi, who is a member of the current controversial electoral commission.

Where another nominee from the president is Abdirashid Mohamud Ali (Riyo-Raa) ex-deputy minister in the past Kulmiye government under Ahmed Siilaanyo. The opposition is accusing him of being a member of the KULMIYE party that participated in the last election campaign.

However, it appears that without the completion of the formation of the new electoral commission there will be a delay for the planned elections in December this year.

The outgoing National Election Commission is due to run out in this November.