Deputy Prime Minister Inspects Polling Stations as Galmudug Holds Historic One-Person, One-Vote Elections

GALKAYO – Deputy Prime Minister Salah Ahmed Jama has visited polling stations in Galkayo as residents of Galmudug State turned out to cast their votes in the region’s first-ever one-person, one-vote elections, marking a historic shift from the clan-based power-sharing system that has long characterised Somali politics.

The Deputy Prime Minister, accompanied by federal ministers and other officials, inspected several polling stations in the city, which is divided between Puntland and Galmudug administrations. The visit comes as Galmudug’s 215,860 registered voters are electing their regional president, a process that has been fraught with political tension and controversy.

A Long Wait for Democracy

The Galmudug elections, which have been repeatedly delayed, represent a significant milestone for the region. The National Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (NIEBC) had rejected calls from political parties to delay the vote, citing the need to adhere to the electoral calendar. However, the compressed timeline has raised concerns about the credibility of the process, with critics arguing that it disadvantages candidates who lack resources and federal backing.

The elections come after Galmudug President Ahmed Abdi Kariye (Qoor-Qoor) withdrew from the presidential race following talks with federal officials, clearing the way for the federal government’s preferred candidate. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has designated Liban Ahmed Hassan as the sole candidate for the ruling Justice and Solidarity Party (JSP), bypassing internal party competition and raising concerns about the independence of the electoral process.

A Commission That Follows Orders, Not Principles

The NIEBC’s insistence on adhering to the July 30 date, despite requests for a delay, raises fundamental questions about its independence and commitment to a level playing field. In a region where many voters lack access to information and candidates struggle to reach remote communities, the decision to rush the process serves the interests of well-funded candidates with federal backing, not the voters who deserve meaningful engagement.

The commission has been accused of being a rubber stamp for the federal government’s preferences rather than an independent arbiter of a free and fair contest. While the Minister of Information and the NIEBC Chairman have coordinated efforts on public awareness and media coverage, the broader political context has cast a shadow over the electoral process.

A Historic Moment Amid Deep Divisions

The Galmudug elections are a historic moment for the region, marking the first time that citizens have been able to directly elect their leaders. The NIEBC has confirmed that 215,860 individuals have been successfully enrolled and issued voting cards across the Galgaduud and Mudug regions. The electoral commission has released an official timeline for the elections, but the process has been marked by repeated delays and growing concerns about federal interference.

The arrival of NISA Chief Mahad Mohamed Salad in Galmudug ahead of the vote highlighted the federal government’s heavy-handed role in shaping the electoral outcome. A bitter disagreement between President Mohamud and Salad over who should lead Galmudug exposed deep fractures within the ruling party and raised questions about the independence of the electoral process.

Way Forward

The Galmudug elections represent a significant step toward democratic governance in Somalia, but they also highlight the challenges that remain. The federal government’s interference in the electoral process, the NIEBC’s refusal to accommodate legitimate concerns from political parties, and the compressed timeline have all raised questions about the credibility of the vote.

For the people of Galmudug, the elections are an opportunity to shape their own future. But the success of the process will depend on whether the government can deliver a genuinely free, fair, and transparent vote that reflects the will of the people. Without these safeguards, the historic moment risks being remembered not as a democratic milestone, but as another missed opportunity.