Hiiraan Online
Wednesday February 1, 2017
Electoral Commission chairperson briefed HOL on the outcome of an emergency meeting held at Villa Hargeisa
Mogadishu (HOL) - The head of the Federal Electoral Commission has responded to blistering comments made by presidential candidates after the cancellation of a highly anticipated debate yesterday.
In an exclusive interview with HOL Abdirahman Duale Beyle said that the assertion that commission did not have the authority to cancel the debate was both baseless and inaccurate.
"The debate is not a constitutional prerequisite to the presidential election, the candidate's attendance is completely voluntary." He said, adding that 21 of the 24 presidential hopefuls were present at the venue before they walked out in protest of the debate conditions. "Parliament suggested that the debate would be productive to the spirit of elections but ultimately it can be changed and or cancelled without their approval."
The candidates boycotted the debate after conditions they deemed "unfavourable and suspicious". The candidates were referring to the lack of diverse media coverage and a nationwide internet blackout.
He said that despite the cancellation, the electoral commission still supported the idea of the debate.
"If it were feasible we would have worked with the candidates to try and reschedule. Unfortunately, with the presidential elections just over a week away, and the planned presidential speeches to parliament to take place over the next few days there is simply not enough time without having to postpone the presidential election further, and that is completely out of the question."
Mr. Beyle spoke to HOL after chairing an emergency meeting with the electoral commission at Villa Hargeisa to discuss recent events that have embroiled the commission in controversy.
Electoral Committee member Abdullahi Ismail Fartag announced that he will resign from his post
One of it’s most prominent members, Deputy Chairman Abdullahi Ismail Fartag is accused by the candidates of breaching his impartiality clause by attending a pro-Hassan Sheikh Mohamud rally last Sunday. His presence at the party put him in a clear conflict of interest and has placed the commission's integrity in question.
Mr. Fartag formally announced his resignation from the electoral commission at the emergency meeting after intense pressure from his colleagues. He told the commission that he decided to step down gracefully to preserve the integrity of the electoral commission. The committee welcomed his resignation.