Puntland Regional State President Said Abdullahi Deni reiterated on Friday night that regional leaders will be elected through a direct vote, despite recent demands from opposition groups for elections to be conducted using an indirect system, where clan leaders select lawmakers.
Speaking at the presidency palace, President Deni declared his unwavering commitment to avoiding an extension of his term. He emphasized the feasibility of conducting elections in which parties compete for 66 parliamentary seats and electing the president and vice president in the remaining three months of his administration.
“As the president of the state, I announce that the state is committed to a one-person, one-vote election system, which will proceed according to the law and on schedule. I will adhere to the time limits stipulated by the rules and the law,” President Deni stated.
Deni emphasized that his administration’s efforts cannot be obstructed by groups he described as attempting to undermine democracy in Puntland through the use of force. He encouraged them to participate in fair competition among political parties.
Following President Deni’s speech, the Puntland opposition held a closed-door meeting. As of now, no official statements have been released. The opposition objects to the one-person, one-vote election approach, viewing it as a political strategy by Deni to circumvent the election process.
The opposition also believes that implementing a direct vote election system is unfeasible due to the remaining three months of the current administration and the presence of anti-government militia forces.
