GAROWE, Somalia Nov 17 (Garowe Online) - A top official in the government of Somalia's Puntland region has defended a recently appointed election commission after a group of presidential candidates denounced the commission.

Hassan Dahir Afqura, the vice president of Puntland, told a Monday press conference in the regional capital Garowe that the election commission appointed by President Adde Muse is "lawful."

"We will make no change to the Commission," the vice president said, adding: "This commission will not elect the next president. They will check the legality of incoming lawmakers proposed by the clans."

The election commission – formally known as the Commission for the Ratification and Settlement of the Council of Representatives (Parliament) – is an unconstitutional body that has been appointed by former presidents before presidential elections.

The body has the authority to ratify incoming lawmakers and settle disputes, whenever two candidates argue over a seat in the clan-based, 66-seat Puntland Parliament.

Seven presidential candidates – four in Garowe, three in Bossaso – told separate press conferences that the election commission is "not neutral." READ: Puntland candidates reject election commission

Puntland is a self-governing region in northeastern Somalia. Presidential elections are scheduled to be held in the region in January 2009, with a host of candidates competing to unseat incumbent President Muse.

Source: Garowe Online