BAIDOA (Halbeeg News) – With 15 days left for polling, Southwest Election Commission officials are in the final phase of making arrangements for the transparent and smooth conduct of the election process.
Arfe Ibrahim Adan, chairperson of the commission who spoke to the media on Saturday said the committee is struggling to complete the process ahead of the day.
“We geared up our efforts to make sure everything is ready. Now the committee is ready to hold the election,” the chairman said.
Mr. Ibrahim has dismissed any attempt to postpone the election saying the poll will take place as per its schedule.
Speaking about the fate of former Al-Shabaab deputy leader, Mukhtar Robow who announced his bid to run for Southwest presidency, Mr. Ibrahim said Robow has the right to participate in politics so long as he remained a Somali citizen.
“We cannot see any crime that can bar Mukhtar Robow from taking part in the election,” the chairman stated.
Mr. Robow announced his entry into politics early October 2018 but was stopped by the federal government saying he still faces sanctions.
He deserted Al-Shabab in 2012 because of what he called ideological differences. He then led a group of militias loyal to him who often fought against Al-Shabaab.
In June last year, after reports emerged that Robow was in talks with the Somali government, the US State Department removed him from its terror list and scrapped a $5m (£3.85m) reward for his capture.
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