Somalia's National Independent Electoral Commission (NIEC) has officially ended the election campaign period in Galmudug ahead of Thursday's vote, urging registered voters to participate peacefully while outlining key voting procedures and security arrangements.
DHUUSAMAREEB, Somalia – Somalia's National Independent Electoral Commission (NIEC) has officially declared the end of the election campaign period in Galmudug, marking the final stage of preparations for voting scheduled to take place on Thursday, July 30.
The announcement was made on Tuesday by NIEC Chairman Abdikarin Ahmed Hassan during a press conference in Dhuusamareeb, where he confirmed that all campaign activities had concluded and instructed candidates and political organizations to remove campaign materials from public spaces and vehicles.
The directive is intended to ensure compliance with electoral regulations during the mandatory campaign silence period before voters head to polling stations.
Addressing the public, the commission urged all registered voters to take part in the election and exercise their constitutional right to vote peacefully. Citizens were encouraged to arrive at their designated polling stations carrying either their official voter cards or temporary voter registration certificates, both of which will be accepted for the voting process.
"The Commission calls on all registered voters to fully participate in the election and peacefully exercise their constitutional right to vote," Chairman Abdikarin said, adding that voters should cooperate with election officials and follow polling procedures to ensure an orderly and transparent process.
The commission also clarified voting procedures for individuals who have not yet received permanent voter cards. According to NIEC, registered voters holding temporary voter registration certificates will still be allowed to cast their ballots. However, those certificates will be retained by election officials after voting to prevent their future use.
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Officials urged citizens using temporary certificates to cooperate with polling staff and comply with all legal requirements at voting centers, stressing that such measures are designed to protect the integrity of the electoral process.
In addition to addressing voters, the commission issued guidance to political organizations participating in the election. Chairman Abdikarin called on political groups to deploy election observers who are not candidates in the race, allowing them to monitor polling stations independently without creating potential conflicts of interest.
The commission also appealed to Somalia's media outlets to provide accurate, balanced, and credible reporting throughout election day, emphasizing the important role journalists play in informing the public while helping maintain confidence in the electoral process.
Security arrangements were another major focus of the chairman's briefing. Abdikarin announced that police forces would be responsible for safeguarding polling stations and maintaining public order throughout the election under the direction of the electoral commission. Their duties will include protecting voters, election officials, observers, and polling centers to ensure voting takes place in a secure environment.
The election represents another step in Somalia's broader efforts to expand electoral participation through voter registration and direct voting mechanisms. Authorities hope the process in Galmudug will proceed peacefully and serve as another milestone in the country's ongoing electoral reforms.
With campaigning now officially over, attention shifts to Thursday's vote, when registered citizens across Galmudug are expected to cast their ballots under heightened security and electoral oversight. Election officials have reiterated their call for all stakeholders—including voters, political organizations, security forces, observers, and the media—to uphold the principles of peace, transparency, and respect for electoral procedures throughout the voting process.
About the Author
Bashir Guhad is a reporter at Somali Report covering politics, security, business, and trade across the Somali region.
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