Candidates set new conditions on participating in Galmudug polls

[Deeq A.]

Some of the presidential candidates in Galmudug have come out with new conditions they set on their participation in the upcoming election in the Somali Federal State by the end of this month.

In a joint statement, the candidates – Abdi Ahmed (Abdi Dheere), Abdirahman Mohamed (Odowaa), Abdullahi Farah Weheliye and Kamal Dahir Gutale called for the formation of a fresh inclusive electoral committee ahead of the presidential vote.

The aspirants said they want an independent third-party to oversee the electoral process to avoid vote-rigging and irregularities that could lead to post-election conflict in Galmudug.

“We will not participate in an election that is organized by one group of the divided elections committee; that any elections held by some members of the committee and election timetable they have released are unacceptable,” the statement issued by the presidential candidates read in part.

The latest development comes after the influential moderate Islamist group Ahlu Sunna Wal Jama’ah also announced its rejection of the ongoing federal government-led election process in Galmudug.

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