Somalia PM releases final list of Elections Committee members amid complaints

MOGADISHU, Somalia - The final list of those expected to serve in Somalia's elections and dispute resolution committees has been released, despite complaints from a section of opposition leaders in the country, who called for thorough scrutiny of members.

Office of the Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble published names of SEIT and FIET officials, whose main task is to hold elections in the country within the next one month, in accordance with the May agreement, in which stakeholders agreed to have indirect elections.

Also released is the list of officials who will take charge of elections of unique regions of Banadir and Somaliland. The former hosts the capital Mogadishu while the latter claimed to have seceded from Somalia over three decades ago after years of civil war.

State media claimed the list has been approved by presidential candidates, politicians, members of civil societies and lawmakers, but did not give evidence to back the claims. None of the leading presidential candidates has issued statements over the latest development.

"Politicians, Presidential candidates, lawmakers, and civil societies have welcomed the revised list of electoral commissions released by Prime Minister’s Office on Saturday. PM Rooble, previously promised that he is working to hold free and fair elections," read a tweet from state media.

The publication of the names comes barely hours after presidential candidate Abdirahman Abdishakur Warsame questioned the removal of one Hawa Adan from the committee, arguing that she was targeted for being a critic of President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo.

Also, Abdishakur, who was later hosted by Garowe Online on Twitter space, claimed the committee still has over 20 agents of the spy agency NISA and a host of Farmajo's supporters. He called for their immediate removal, adding that Roble should go for neutral individuals.

"Hawa Adan was removed from the electoral commission after being accused of opposition to Farmajo. Almost 20 supporters of Farmajo and tens of NISA agents r still in the commission. This will dent the credibility of the commission and the neutrality of PM Roble," he added.

Initially, the opposition had submitted a list of 67 individuals accused of being NISA agents, Farmajo's sycophants and, or civil servants. The ministerial-level committee picked by PM Roble only removed 34 from the list but failed to explain the reinstatement of the remaining 33 individuals.

There is general anxiety in the country as the country rushes to beat deadlines on holding elections which have since been delayed for months. President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmajo is keen to defend his seat, and his attempts to extend his term have been repelled by opposition leaders.

GAROWE ONLINE