By Zakaria Soohoyde - Reporter
Somalia’s Independent National Electoral and Boundaries Commission has clarified why Towfiiq Political Organization was excluded from the list of organizations participating in the repeat Galmudug election, saying it failed to submit its candidate list within the designated deadline.
The clarification follows political debate over Towfiiq’s absence from the newly announced list, particularly given its participation in the previous Galmudug election and its role in the legal challenge that resulted in the annulment of that vote.
The commission said political organizations were required to submit their candidate lists by September 12. Twelve organizations completed the process within the designated period, while Towfiiq and Dowladda Wanaagsan Soomaaliyeed did not.
Following a meeting on September 13, the commission decided to publish the names of the organizations that had completed their candidate submissions within the required timeframe.
The 12 organizations are Caddaaladda iyo Midnimada, Madalsan, Muwaadiniinta Soomaaliyeed, Dimuqraadiga Soomaaliyeed, Caddaaladda iyo Wadajirka, Dadka Soomaaliyeed, Karaama, Saab, Dan Shacab, Sincad, Dhalinyarada Talo Qaran and Ramaas.
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The commission rejected suggestions that Towfiiq’s exclusion was politically motivated, saying its absence from the list resulted solely from its failure to meet the candidate submission deadline.
It said Dowladda Wanaagsan Soomaaliyeed was excluded for the same reason, stressing that both are registered political organizations but did not complete the required submissions on time.
Towfiiq’s exclusion has attracted particular attention because the organization played a central role in challenging the previous Galmudug election, held on July 30.
Towfiiq filed the legal case that led Somalia’s Supreme Court to annul the election results on August 24. The court ruled that the electoral process did not comply with the Constitution and election laws and ordered the election to be held again.
The commission has maintained that the new list was compiled strictly according to electoral procedures and the September 12 deadline, rejecting claims that political considerations influenced the decision.