On 9th January, NIEC Commissioners converged to elect a new deputy Chairperson. The election saw the participation of three commissioners as aspirants. They are:
1. Hussein Abdi Adan
2. Adam Abdinasir Mohamed
3. Abdirahman Osman Dirir
As per NIEC law from which the Commission was formed dictates that NIEC Commissioners can elect among themselves a Chair and deputy Chairperson. Speaking at the occasion, NIEC Secretary general Mr. Abdirizak Bashir stated that for the election to take place, as the law dictates, six Commissioners must be present.
The Chairperson Ms. Halima Ismail stated that the deputy Chairperson’s post fell vacant in January 2019 and the Commission awaited Parliament to fill the post. Seven Commission members participated in the voting process with the exclusion of the Chairperson. Mr. Adam Abdinasir was elected as the deputy chair in the first round by garnering 4 votes and Abdirahman 3 votes. With no candidate garnering the votes required the election proceeded to the second round.
Mr. Adam Abdinasir was elected as the Deputy Chair in the second round of the elections after Abdirahman and Hussein decided to quit. The election was witnessed by MPs from both houses of Parliament and representative from the CSOs and Officials from Mogadishu mayor