BELEDWEYNE — Growing fears have reportedly emerged among staff working for the disputed election committee operating in Beledweyne, amid heightened political tensions surrounding the electoral process in Hiiraan.
Sources familiar with the situation allege that some committee employees are operating from private homes occupied by women and children in an effort to avoid public attention.
According to the sources, election equipment is reportedly moved between different locations at night, with staff allegedly seeking temporary places to work and store the equipment.
Some employees are also said to have requested leave because of concerns over their personal safety, but their requests were reportedly rejected.
The alleged operations are said to be concentrated in parts of the Buunda-weyn and Howl-wadaag neighbourhoods, where private residences are reportedly being used as temporary work locations.
Sources further allege that individuals seeking to register supporters as voters have been asked to provide places where election equipment can be kept out of public view.
If confirmed, the allegations would raise further questions about the transparency and security of the electoral registration process in Beledweyne, particularly as political tensions continue to surround the disputed election arrangements.
The claims have not been independently verified, and it remains unclear whether the election committee or relevant authorities have officially responded to the allegations.
The developments come amid wider disagreements over the political and electoral process in Hiiraan, with competing actors disputing how elections should be organised and who should oversee them.
For residents and political stakeholders in Beledweyne, concerns over the safety of election workers and the handling of electoral equipment are likely to add to existing questions about confidence in the process.
