Dhuusamareeb (WDN) – A growing political storm has erupted in Galmudug after the chairman of the election commission appeared at a political gathering attended by two presidential hopefuls, raising serious questions about the neutrality and credibility of the body tasked with overseeing the state’s upcoming elections.

The controversy intensified Monday evening when Galmudug’s Minister of Information, Ali Mahmud Farah (Ali Seeko), convened an emergency press conference in Dhusamareeb to address what many political observers are describing as a deeply troubling development for the electoral process.

Galmudug election plan meeting attended by election
commission chair

At the center of the dispute is Abdikarin Ahmed Hassan, the chairman of the independent election commission, who was seen participating in a meeting involving two candidates seeking the presidency of Galmudug under Villa Somalia’s support. The appearance immediately triggered criticism from rival candidates and political stakeholders, who argued that the election body’s chief, had crossed a line that should never be crossed in a democratic process.

Although Galmudug officials continue to speak as though they expect a fair and credible electoral process the facts on the ground tell a different story. More importantly, it is worth noting that while the electoral body is formally described as an “independent” commission, many Somalis and opposition figures question whether it possesses any genuine independence.

The commission was established solely under former President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and lacks broad political consensus; as such, it cannot credibly claim neutrality. Its actions and decisions have increasingly reinforced that it operates as an extension of the executive branch rather than as an impartial institution entrusted with safeguarding the integrity, transparency, and credibility of the electoral process.

Nevertheless, speaking to reporters, Minister Ali Seeko did not attempt to downplay the incident. “It is unfortunate and unacceptable that the chairman of an election commission should become involved in activities associated with a political campaign or a candidate seeking the highest office in Galmudug,” the minister said. His remarks represented one of the strongest official condemnations yet of the commission chairman’s conduct

For an election commission chairman whose primary responsibility is to guarantee fairness, neutrality, and public confidence, merely appearing alongside candidates is enough to create perceptions of bias. In a political environment already burdened by mistrust and intense competition, such actions can have far-reaching consequences.

According to the minister, the Galmudug administration cannot and will not accept an electoral body whose impartiality is being called into question. “The Government of Galmudug cannot accept an election commission that becomes part of the campaign machinery of a political party or a particular candidate,” Ali Seeko declared. “To preserve transparency, fairness, and public trust in the electoral process, it is essential that the commission remains neutral and independent.”

The statement reflects growing concern within Galmudug that the credibility of the upcoming elections could be compromised if electoral officials are perceived to be aligning themselves with specific political actors.

Political analysts note that election commissions derive their legitimacy not merely from legal mandates but from public confidence. Once that confidence is eroded, even legitimate election outcomes can become vulnerable to dispute and rejection. The controversy also highlights a recurring challenge in Somali politics: the difficulty of maintaining independent institutions amid highly personalized political competition.

Observers argue that electoral officials must not only remain neutral but must also avoid any appearance of favoritism. In democratic systems, perception often carries as much weight as reality. An election commission chairman attending a gathering associated with presidential contenders can easily create suspicion among rival candidates and their supporters, regardless of the chairman’s intentions.

Minister Ali Seeko emphasized that free and fair elections can only be achieved when all stakeholders have confidence in the institutions managing the process. “A credible election is only possible when there is an election commission trusted by all parties and free from political interests, favoritism, and external influence,” he said.

The incident comes at a sensitive moment for Galmudug as political maneuvering intensifies ahead of the state’s leadership contest. Several candidates are reportedly preparing their campaigns, while political alliances continue to shift behind the scenes. As tensions rise, many observers warn that maintaining the integrity of the electoral process will be critical to preventing political instability and ensuring a peaceful transfer of power.

The election commission has yet to publicly respond to the criticism or explain the circumstances surrounding the chairman’s appearance at the candidates’ gathering. Until such clarification is provided, the controversy is likely to continue fueling debate across Galmudug’s political landscape, with opposition figures and rival candidates demanding assurances that the electoral process will remain transparent, impartial, and free from political interference.

For now, the episode serves as a stark reminder that in elections, credibility is often as important as the vote itself—and once doubts begin to emerge, restoring public confidence can be far more difficult than preserving it in the first place.

WardheerNews