Mogadishu (SD) – Chairperson of Somalia’s Independent National Electoral Commission Halima Ismail Ibrahim said the commission will remain in place and will continue to function.

Halima Ismail Ibrahim (Halimo Yarey) chairperson of the Independent Electoral Commission speaking at a ceremony for newly registered parties said their committee is not affected by the agreed indirect election, and will continue its work.

Speaking to the media, the chairman noted that the commission is currently in the process of registering political parties in the country, as Somalia is expected to hold elections in 2020-2021.

“It may be said that in the run-up to the election, why are these parties being registered? This is a committee that will continue to operate as long as the nation exists and we are working on democracy. I don’t know if the military will come and suspend everything,” she said.

The committee led by Halimo Yarey has been accused of failing to carry out its mandate, with significant financial support from the international community.

Halima’s statement comes as the federal government and regional governments recently reached an agreement in Mogadishu to hold a indirect elections in the country on time, approved by both houses of the Federal Parliament of Somalia.