Friday May 23, 2025
Garowe (HOL) – Puntland’s administration is moving to abolish the secret ballot system for electing local council members and parliamentarians to enhance electoral transparency and reduce corruption and bribery allegations that have marred past polls.
The Puntland Electoral Commission (PEC) announced that it is finalizing a revised local government law that endorses a show-of-hands voting method in upcoming elections. PEC Chairman Ahmed Mahmoud Omar stated that the shift prevents vote-buying and ensures accountability among elected representatives.
“By allowing the public to witness how each vote is cast, we eliminate the room for bribery and boost the integrity of the electoral process,” Omar said.
The move has garnered strong support from several Puntland ministers and government officials, who argue that secret balloting has enabled corrupt practices and weakened public trust in democratic institutions.
Critics of the secret ballot say it’s “shameful” that elected officials cast votes behind closed doors, and have called on the electoral commission to institutionalize the new voting system in Puntland’s electoral framework.
In addition to the change in voting method, the PEC has also reduced the number of local council members. In the most developed districts, councils will now comprise 15 members, with fewer in smaller districts.
These reductions are part of broader reforms meant to correct flaws from previous elections, which often led to inter-council conflicts and governance breakdowns.
