In recent days, videos and posts showing people being forcibly taken to polling stations have been widely circulated on social media.
Some people who spoke to the media said that their cards were taken against their will, raising questions about the integrity of the voting process.
The issue was quickly responded to by the Independent National Electoral and Boundaries Commission, which said it would never accept anyone being deprived of their vote or freedom of choice.
The commission’s spokesperson, Mr. Abdifatah Faisal Hussein, spoke strongly about the mounting allegations and told the public that such abuses were unacceptable.
“Anyone who forces the Somali people to vote will be dealt with according to the law,” the spokesman said in an interview with local media.
The commission stressed that voting is a constitutional right, not a mandatory obligation imposed on everyone to exercise power.
Some residents said they were warned that if they did not receive the card, they could lose access to government services. However, the commission denied this, saying that the voting card could not be used as a tool of oppression.
The Electoral Commission called on all security agencies, civil society organizations, and the Somali public to be vigilant against anything that could hinder free and fair elections.
They also encourage the public to submit any complaints they may have, using the commission’s hotlines and official email.
