Thursday 5,June 2025 {HMC} Somalia’s Independent National Electoral Commission has strongly denied recent allegations circulating on social media that residents in Mogadishu are being forced to collect their voting cards under threat of arrest.
Abdikarim Ahmed Hassan, Chairman of the Electoral Commission, dismissed the reports as false and misleading, emphasizing that voter registration is entirely voluntary.
“These are baseless and misleading reports circulating on social media,” said Chairman Abdikarim. “Voting is a constitutional right and a personal choice, and no one can be forced to collect their voting cards.”
He urged the public to rely on official sources for accurate information and encouraged citizens to misreport any irregularities or impersonators claiming affiliation with the Commission.
The clarification comes amid accusations from opposition groups that the federal government is forcibly registering voters. Voter registration has been underway in the Somali capital since early last month, with thousands of residents registering for the upcoming local elections in Mogadishu.
The Electoral Commission reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring a transparent, inclusive, and credible electoral process.
Source Hiiraan online
