Somaliland
Election officials back June poll in Somaliland
April 28, 2010 · 12 Comments
* Many errors in voter list corrected-official
* Some 1.1 million people registered to vote
HARGEISA, (Somalilandpress) — Somaliland’s presidential elections slated for June were given a stamp of approval on Wednesday by the breakaway enclave’s election commission. The National Electoral Commission (NEC) said it had completed a voter registration list that corrected many errors, which had been the reason given by clan elders for repeatedly extending the term of President Dahir Riyale Kahin. “We have a sound voter registration list with which we can hold a presidential election in June 2010,” NEC spokesman Mohamed Ahmed Hirsi Ghelle told a news conference. “All correction of errors in the voter system has been completed.”
Ghelle said the list had 1.1 million people on it and was acceptable for the long-awaited election. He said the list would be refined again in May.
Somaliland — which has sought international recognition as sovereign state — is governed by the opposition-led House of Representatives, which is elected by the people, and an upper house comprised of senior clan elders.
Somaliland has enjoyed relative peace compared with the rest of Somalia, which has been mired in conflict since 1991. But repeated delays to the presidential poll have worried rights groups and donors, as well as angering the opposition.
Analysts fear extended political strife in Somaliland could be exploited by the al Qaeda-linked al Shabaab group which controls much of central and southern Somalia.
In September, clan elders voted to extend the president’s term on condition that a voter list be finalised. It was the third time since April 2008 his mandate had been prolonged.
By Hussein Ali Noor
(Writing by Jeremy Clarke; Editing by David Clarke)
Source: Reuters, 28 April 2010
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Tags: Elections, Kulmiye, NEC, Somaliland
Readers Comments (12)
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We have made huge progress and credit goes to our NEC (new team), also its amazing that 1.1 million eligiable to vote but this is a nation of 3.5 million where 60% are under the age of 25. So what per centage of that is 18-25? Then there are the nomadic problem, also another high population but they always on the move and careless about elections (some do).
It's not whether we have big or small voters, its about transparency and peace at the end, that is yet to come.
We always resolve our differences.
I am really very proud to be Somalilander … becouse today our nation is on the way to democracy (one man one vote)
Keep going Somaliland
Ahmed G.
I am absolutely delighted to heard this news. Well done NEC and we praise your efforts in resolving the long outstanding issue.
I am sorry that I cannot vote, because I am outside the country and even if I go there, I will not be able to vote since I have not been there when the registration was taking place. This is too bad, it should been made certain arrangements for our huge diasporas population.
We are grateful to the new NEC and hope they will accomplish the rest of their mission Insha Allaahutacaala.
proud
Keep going Somaliland
Step by step we wil get over there. Our right position among progresive nations of the world, and win back the pride, rebutation and wealth that our forfathers used to have and enjoy.
The voter register ready to be used for the presidential election is a significant milestone. And we should be glad of our modest achievements.
i congratulate all those men and women who contributed to the realization of this piece of work
We need change !!
We have no other choice, except to do the right thing.
Waar footka iyo codkiina dhiibtaaa !!!
Wa-Salaaamu Calykum .
Enough is enough !!!
I think they were not “clan elders” who made the extension but the “Upper House of SL Parliament”
You are right, but unlike the lower house, the Guurti members were not elected by the people. They were selected and nominated by their clans. so they represent clans.
it would be nice if people ouside the country could also vote, there should be ballet boxes available in every country where the somalilander are dominant such as the uk
You need to be a dual citizen to do that and since we not recognized we cant do that yet but soon God willing.
1.1 milion that a lot for 3.5 million people don'y you think where most people are nomads? good luck I hope it ends well and peacefull election.
It’s a trick, there fooling us, like they always do, you know, i don’t there will ever be a election, because it become a joke, now we been waiting for the election for 2 years now.