Somalia: Armed militias seize election centers in Beledweyne

MOGADISHU (Somaliguardian) – Armed militias seized centers designated for voter registration in Beledweyne on Tuesday, as Somalia’s electoral commission set September 30 for Hirshabelle municipal and parliamentary elections, intensifying opposition to the planned vote, Caasimada Online news website reported on Tuesday.

Some of the militias, speaking to local media, said they oppose the elections being conducted by the government-appointed electoral commission. They said they would not accept a vote in which only one favored candidate is allowed to contest while all other candidates are banned, arguing that the process mirrors such an arrangement.

The Somali federal government has not yet taken any action against the militias.

The seizure comes as Hawadle clan politicians strongly oppose the planned Hirshabelle election, saying the process is not fair. They are also demanding their turn at the presidency of the Hirshabelle regional administration.

The competing objections have placed the planned elections under heightened political tension in Beledweyne, where the seizure of the registration centers has directly disrupted locations designated for the electoral process.

The militias’ opposition centers on what they describe as a process that favors one candidate while excluding others, while Hawadle politicians are challenging the fairness of the Hirshabelle election and pressing for their turn at the regional presidency.

With the electoral commission having scheduled the Hirshabelle municipal and parliamentary elections for September 30, the dispute over the process remains unresolved, while the Somali federal government has yet to take action against the militias.

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