MOGADISHU (SD) -The National Electoral and Boundary Commission today, Monday, elected its chairman and deputy chairman by a show of hands.

The chairman of the electoral commission was elected to be Cabdikariin Axmed Xasan, receiving 17 votes by a show of hands. He was previously known to be a candidate for this position and is close to the President.

Saadaq Abshir Garaad was elected as the deputy chairman of the National Electoral and Boundary Commission. Saadi has been a long-time member of the Puntland House of Representatives.

The new chairman, Cabdikariin, is among the Somali diaspora and has lived in the United States for some time.

The commission and the laws under which it was established are opposed by the governments of Jubaland and Puntland, which have had no input in its formation and have previously rejected all electoral laws.