On 31 August 2016 a delegation from National Independent Electoral Commission led by Chairperson Ms Halima Ismail Ibrahim and deputy chair Mr.
Sayid AIi Sh. Mohamed paid three days a working visit to Baidoa city, the interim capital city of South West Administration.
The purpose was to engage the Somali citizens which the NIEC is planning to officially start political party’s registration soon after the Somali President HE.
Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has officially signed the political party law 4 September 2016, and also the plan is to visit the other federal member states such Puntland .
Jubbaland, Gal-mudug,Hiraan and Middle Shabeele and cities across the border particularly places where large Somali Diaspora live mostly in Nairobi-Kenya and Minnesota-USA.
During the visit in Baidoa the delegation had meetings with officials of ISWA and other relevant stakeholders including politicians, elders, women associations,
vulnerable group, business community, and youth. The meetings discussed the background of the Somali political party law and rights of the citizens to have freedom to assemble and express their political views given by the provisional federal constitution which is a basic fundamental pillar for Somalia to have free and fair elections,
the NIEC delegation distributed to the participant’s copies of the political party law.
On the other hand participants expressed their views and concerns they said “they did not know before these meetings the existence of political parties law” also participants thanked to the NIEC delegation and highlighted the importance for the continuation of such meetings and discussions.
The ISWA officials promised to organize meetings and consultations for further discussions on the Somali political party law.
Finally the chairperson of the National Independent Electoral Commission Ms Halima Ismail Ibrahim has officially closed the meetings and extended gratitude on behalf of the members of National Independent Electoral Commission to the people of South West Administration for their warm welcome and hospitality during the two days visit.
She also thanked them for their constructive engagement during the meetings. The chairperson also thanked and acknowledged the support of the Somali development partners and friends in particular IESG, UN, EU, DFID, Sweden, Norway and Germany whose support made the visit possible.
