Mogadishu, Somalia – In a contentious and chaotic session, the House of the People of the Federal Parliament of Somalia has approved members of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), despite disruptions and opposition from several lawmakers. The approval, which came after a disrupted vote counting process, has sparked significant debate over the manner in which the session was conducted.
The controversy erupted when opposition MPs, who had been denied the opportunity to provide an update on the recently concluded elections in Jubaland, began to protest vocally during the voting process. Tensions escalated as the MPs attempted to block the proceedings, creating a noisy and unruly atmosphere in the chamber. However, Speaker of the House, Sheikh Adan Madoobe, continued the session, instructing lawmakers to raise their hands in a vote on the proposed members of the commission.
Shortly after, the Speaker announced that the nominees for the Electoral Commission had been approved by 169 members of parliament, despite the turmoil that disrupted the voting procedure. “The members of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission have been approved,” the Speaker declared, as loud protests echoed in the chamber.
The chaotic approval process has led to sharply divided opinions among lawmakers. Several opposition MPs quickly rejected the vote, calling it “null and void” due to the disorderly proceedings. They accused the Speaker of unprofessional conduct and authoritarianism in managing the session, claiming the disruption of the vote counting undermined the integrity of the process.
On the other hand, supporters of the approval commended the Speaker’s leadership, emphasizing the importance of moving forward with the establishment of the commission. Many MPs expressed their support for the one-person-one-vote system, which the commission is tasked with overseeing, viewing it as a critical step towards democratic reforms in Somalia.
The tension-filled session follows escalating political friction between the Federal Government of Somalia and Jubaland, particularly after the recent elections in the region. MPs from Jubaland, who have been critical of the Federal Government’s proposed electoral reforms, were among those leading the opposition to the commission’s approval. The political rift has raised questions about the broader implications of the election process and its potential impact on national unity.
Despite the controversy, the approval of the Electoral Commission marks a significant moment in Somalia’s ongoing electoral reforms. The commission’s mandate includes overseeing the country’s transition to direct elections, a key promise in the government’s push for broader political inclusivity. However, the tensions within parliament suggest that the path to implementing these reforms may face further challenges.
