Several Somali political organizations in Mogadishu have accused the electoral commission of disregarding their concerns and misrepresenting their participation in the December 25 Banadir local council elections, casting doubt on the legitimacy of the process.
Multiple registered political entities in Somalia have refuted claims that they are among the 20 groups approved by the National Electoral Commission (NEC) to participate in the Banadir local council elections scheduled for December 25, asserting that the commission’s announcement does not accurately reflect their position or consent.
The organizations clarified their position during a press conference in Mogadishu, where representatives alleged that the commission violated electoral law and neglected the principles necessary to conduct a proper election. They also expressed apprehensions about the credibility and management of the vote planned later that month.
The speakers indicated that persistent engagement with the commission had proved fruitless, and that their concerns were dismissed despite multiple attempts to resolve the dispute through dialogue and consultation, which they claimed eroded trust in both the process and the institution overseeing it.
Talks ended in vain
“Five rounds of talks with the commission ended in vain because there is no independence for the authorities to exercise their powers impartially. Many concessions that the political registered organizations have endured have yielded nothing. It is clear that the commission cannot carry out its work independently,” the groups said in a joint statement read to the media.
The representatives contended that the electoral process had been compromised by interference from political actors and the misuse of state resources, arguing that such actions undermine the foundations of an election and deprive political organizations of equal treatment under the law, which they deemed essential for any credible vote.
They emphasized that the National Electoral Commission must function without influence from government institutions or political groups, warning that a failure to maintain separation between the commission and those in power could result in disputes and diminished public confidence in the election outcome.
Help maintain peace
The groups also appealed to the Somali public to help preserve peace during the election period, calling on religious leaders, civil society organizations, political actors, women, and young people to act responsibly and prevent the electoral process from becoming a source of conflict or unrest in the capital.
They stressed that the responsibility for stability does not lie solely with institutions, noting that citizens and community leaders have a role in ensuring that political disagreements do not escalate into violence, particularly when the country faces numerous governance and security challenges.
Earlier, the National Electoral Commission announced that 20 political organizations had submitted candidate lists for the Banadir local council elections, a process the commission stated had followed procedures outlined in the electoral framework governing local administration.
Nomination requirements
Of the 61 political organizations that registered at the commencement of the process, the commission reported that only 20 had fulfilled the nomination requirements within the initial timeframe, prompting questions from other groups who claimed they were excluded or misrepresented.
The commission subsequently extended the nomination deadline by two weeks, allowing political organizations to submit candidate lists between November 25 and December 10, a measure it described as intended to enable more groups to participate.
Despite the extension, several organizations stated they chose not to participate due to concerns about the conduct of the process, suggesting that most registered political organizations will not be involved in the local council elections in Mogadishu on December 25.
