Garowe (Kaab TV) – The Puntland Ministry of Interior has strongly condemned an election schedule issued by Somalia’s Election and Boundaries Commission, which last night announced the timetable for local council elections in the Federal Member States.
In a statement released by the ministry, it was noted that the commission had included the district of Galdogob in the Mudug region in its schedule, despite the fact that Puntland had already held local council elections there on May 25, 2023.
The ministry also stated that the schedule included districts in the Sool and Ayn regions, which it insisted constitutionally belong to Puntland.
The Puntland administration emphasized that local council, House of Representatives, and presidential elections are constitutional powers exclusively reserved for Federal Member States, as stipulated under Article 120 of the Provisional Constitution of Somalia.
Puntland further declared that the commission which issued the schedule was established without consensus or legal basis and that it does not recognize its legitimacy. It added that the commission has no authority to operate within Puntland’s territory or its constitutional borders.
The statement also accused the President of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, of using the commission to fuel political tensions, create social divisions, and undermine the federal system.
However, the National Election Commission later removed Galdogob district from the election schedule, stating that it had been included by mistake and acknowledging that it falls under Puntland’s administration.
