By Abukar Osman - Reporter
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BAYDHABO (Dawan Africa) — Police in Somalia’s Bay Region announced new security measures on Sunday aimed at maintaining stability during ongoing elections in Baidoa, authorities said.
Bay Region Police spokesperson Mohamed Keerow told local media the directives followed a security meeting chaired by Bay Region Police Commander Lt. Col. Sadiq Adan Ali and attended by regional security officials.
According to Keerow, the meeting focused on the security situation and ensuring the smooth conduct of the elections.
The new measures ban the movement of armed personnel and vehicles carrying weapons within Baidoa and around polling stations, except for officially assigned security forces responsible for election security.
Police also prohibited the use of vehicles without authorization from Somalia’s National Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (NIEBC), saying the measure was intended to prevent disruptions to the electoral process.
Keerow said residents and businesses could continue normal daily activities, but authorities would restrict public transport and movements considered a security risk to the elections.
Security agencies in Bay Region urged residents to cooperate with security forces and avoid actions that could disrupt the elections or undermine stability in Baid.