The Puntland regional state Parliamet has yesterday declared changes to the process of electing the state’s President and Vice-President by amending Article 56 of the constitution.
Previously, the President and Vice President were elected by the Parliament. However, a new system will be implemented, filling both positions through a one-person, one-vote election.
In addition, the regional Parliament has announced its intention to review Article 46 of the constitution, aiming to increase the number of political parties and adapt the current electoral process accordingly.
Another amendment will be made to Article 7 of the constitution, aligning the Gardafu region, which had been separated from the Bari region, with the provisions of the constitution, according to the Parliament.
This announcement follows President Said Abdullahi Deni’s recent sweeping changes to his administration, despite having a little over six months remaining in his mandate. Garowe’s regional capital has been experiencing escalating political disputes, resulting in violent clashes.
Just two weeks ago, violent fighting erupted in Garowe, claiming the lives of at least 26 individuals, with 16 of them being soldiers. These clashes occurred as the local Parliament debated changes to the voting system.
In May, Puntland conducted the first one-person, one-vote elections in over half a century in the conflict-ridden, fragile Horn of Africa nation, excluding the unrecognized breakaway region of Somaliland, which considers itself an independent republic.
