This archive report was first published on 6 July 2020.
On June 27, the NIEC announced that Somalia would not be able to conduct the one-man one-vote elections in time, citing the need for either a biometric voting system or manual voter registration.
The decision has sparked widespread criticism from opposition parties, who accuse the electoral body of being influenced by Villa Somalia, the official residence of the President.
Abdirahman Abdishakur Warsame, leader of the Wadajir Party, has called for the resignation of the NIEC, citing its failure to execute its mandate. The Wadajir Party has also accused the NIEC of losing its neutrality, which would allow it to consult all political stakeholders in equal terms.
President Mohammed Abdullahi Farmaajo has repeatedly assured the country that his administration is determined to hold a one-person-one-vote election, but opposition parties remain skeptical.
On May 28, Prime Minister Hassan Ali Kheyre instructed ministers to focus on ensuring the 2020/21 elections were held on time, stating that holding a timely election was 'more important than anything else at this time'.
However, the Farmaajo administration faces the challenge of convincing other stakeholders that the postponement of the elections is not part of a plan to continue its term in office.
