A parliamentary session in Puntland focused on the controversial Election Amendment Act, ended in disarray as members clashed over its implementation. The meeting, disrupted by heckling, highlighted deep divisions within the chamber, with Speaker Abdirashid Yusuf Jibril adjourning the session amidst growing tensions.
The primary issue of contention was the proposed electoral reform law recently introduced by the PEC Election Committee. During the session, parliamentarians taunted one another, with some MPs having to be physically restrained by their colleagues, revealing the scope of the disagreement. In response to the chaotic scene, Jibril appointed a new committee to review and present the election law to parliament on the 26th of this month.
The Special Committee of the Assembly, responsible for the Elections Act, identified inconsistencies within Articles 44, 56, and 81 of the Puntland State Constitution. Their analysis, incorporating perspectives from scholars, civil society, and women’s groups, emphasized concerns over the region’s security situation. The Speaker rejected the committee’s proposal to postpone the law’s passage, citing the importance of maintaining security stability.
Opposition MPs, critical of the law’s potential impact, are planning a press conference to voice their concerns. Concurrently, committees tasked with resolving the election dispute are engaging with opposition politicians to promote unity and peace.
