Garowe (WDN)- The Puntland Regional Government has unveiled the list of the new House of Parliament members slated to represent the people of Puntland from 2024 to 2028. The list comprises 66 members, with 17 purportedly representing the Sool, Sanaag, and Ceyn regions (SSC).

This development stands in contrast to the stance taken by the Traditional Elders of SSC-Khatumo, who declared their non-participation in the Puntland Regional Government Elections, emphasizing that no members would be selected by the SSC-Khatumo Elders.

The electoral landscape for Puntland’s 2023/2024 elections has become a contentious arena, sparking disputes between President Said Abdullhai Deni and the opposition regarding the election format and plan. Initially slated to occur within a multi-party system of One Person One Vote (1P1V) framework, but the election challenges has undergone a significant shift.

President Deni, despite rejecting various mediation efforts by civil society and traditional leaders earlier, made a surprising announcement on December 6, 2023, where he declared that Puntland’s election would take place on January 8, with the electoral system adopting the traditional selection process of elders.

Nevertheless, contradicting the SSC-Khatumo’s decision on December 23, 2023, President Deni has underscored his commitment to a parliament comprising 66 members. The latter had announced their refusal to participate in the selection of Puntland parliament members, including the 17 MPs linked to the Puntland administration.

In response, the opposition, constituted by a council of presidential candidates, rallied behind the SSC-Khatumo elders’ stance issuing a press statement on December 27. They have called for the parliament’s size to be capped at 49 members, excluding the 17 associated with SSC-Khatumo. The opposition accuses President Said Abdullahi Deni of illicitly enlisting fake members in defiance of the SSC-Khatumo decision.

The Election and Dispute Resolution Commission has now released a list, including members purportedly representing SSC-Khatumo. This move is poised to intensify the conflict between President Deni and the opposition, with the national election scheduled for January 8 looming on the horizon.

The prospect of a new clash adds further uncertainty to an already complex political landscape of Puntland.

WardheerNews