Southwest State candidates file complaint over ballot secrecy, election fairness
Former Southwest President Sharif Hassan Sheikh Aden and Dr. Abdiasis Mohamed Sheikh Osman Jawaari said they had received reports that some lawmakers were being told to take photographs of their ballot papers and show how they voted.
Tuesday June 9, 2026
Baidoa (AX) — Concerns over secrecy at the ballot box and outside interference surfaced on Monday as two candidates in the Southwest State presidential race formally complained to the electoral commission about the conduct of the upcoming vote.
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Former Southwest President Sharif Hassan Sheikh Aden and Dr. Abdiasis Mohamed Sheikh Osman Jawaari said they had received reports that some lawmakers were being told to take photographs of their ballot papers and show how they voted.
The pair said such an instruction would weaken lawmakers’ independence, violate the secrecy of the vote and cast doubt on the credibility of the election itself.
Sharif Hassan also accused federal government officials of siding with one candidate, arguing that any such support could tilt the race and erode public confidence in the process.
“We need candidates who compete on equal terms,” Sharif Hassan said. “If one person is the speaker of parliament, the incumbent and an election candidate, this does not create an environment of equal competition.”
He said the Southwest contest is a key test for Somalia’s democratic process and insisted that lawmakers must be allowed to choose their leaders freely and without pressure.
“We believe that a free, fair and credible election is based on preserving the secrecy of the vote, the independence of parliamentarians and the application of electoral laws,” Sharif Hassan said. “Therefore, we call on the relevant institutions to respond promptly to the complaints submitted to maintain the trust and legitimacy of the election.”
The candidates urged the electoral authorities to act quickly on their complaint, warning that any delay could damage confidence in the Southwest election.
In its response, the Independent National Electoral and Boundaries Commission said it is tasked with ensuring security at polling stations and noted that special security measures have been arranged for all candidates in the Southwest State presidential election under Article 79 of the electoral law.
The commission also reminded lawmakers that mobile phones and similar devices are barred inside the voting booth to safeguard ballot secrecy, citing Articles 3 and 56 of Electoral Law No. 28-2024.
It further called on lawmakers to participate in the vote in line with the law, cast their ballots in secret and refrain from any conduct that could undermine the integrity of the election.
The Southwest presidential election is expected to take place this week in Baidoa.
