GAROWE (WDN) — Tensions between Puntland and Villa Somalia escalated this week after the Chairman of the Puntland Electoral Commission (PEC), Ahmed Mahmoud Omar, issued an official suspension of Maxbuub Nur Said, the Director of Voter Registration at PEC, citing insubordination and repeated absenteeism without cause.

In a formal letter issued from the PEC chairman’s office, Maxbuub was accused of breaching official duties, including “refusal to comply with directives, habitual absence without explanation, and neglect of responsibilities.” Citing Article 39, Clause 3 of Puntland’s Civil Service Law, the commission announced his immediate dismissal from duty, termination of salary and benefits, and imposed a ban on his access to PEC offices.

The disciplinary action comes amid emerging reports that Maxbuub and several former PEC members had defected nearly a month ago to join the disputed national electoral body based in Villa Somalia. Sources close to the matter suggest that Villa Somalia has welcomed the defectors with open arms, a move that Puntland officials view as a deliberate attempt to undermine regional institutions.

This latest development—Villa Somalia welcoming defectors from the Puntland Electoral Commission—appears to be a calculated strategy aimed at bolstering the Federal Government’s controversial electoral body with experienced professionals. By offering higher salaries and improved working conditions, the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) seems intent on attracting seasoned election experts from Puntland, whose technical staff are widely regarded as among the most competent in the country.

This quiet talent drain has raised alarm in Garowe, where officials fear that Villa Somalia’s recruitment efforts could undermine Puntland’s institutional capacity. With Puntland already facing pressure from both political and security challenges, the loss of its electoral experts to the federal system is seen by many as not only deeply concerning but also as a deliberate weakening of its regional autonomy.

Observers say this latest episode reflects a deeper power struggle over electoral legitimacy, with Villa Somalia’s controversial electoral commission becoming a focal point of political division. Puntland authorities have not yet commented on whether legal action will follow against other PEC members suspected of defecting, but insiders suggest further dismissals may be on the horizon.

This incident marks yet another flashpoint in the growing political rift, as Puntland seeks to assert its autonomy in the face of what it sees as federal overreach.