Somaliland: Observation Mission Deployed to Monitor Historic Election

- On 13 November 2017, Somaliland will hold its third presidential election. A team of 60 international election observers from 24 different countries – including representatives of the Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO) – have arrived in Hargeisa. The international election observation mission (EOM) will undertake various tasks before, during and after election day, such as examining the pre-election campaign, verifying access by political parties to locations for campaigning, the equality of access to the media, the procedures which will be employed for the distribution of election materials, voting itself and the counting and tallying of ballots. This election will be a landmark for Somaliland as this is the first time an incumbent does not run again for presidency, making it an important phase in Somaliland’s consolidation of its representative democracy. 

Below is a press release on the International Election Observation Mission (EOM):

International observers of Somaliland’s presidential election on 13 November 2017 arrive in Somaliland, hope for a successful and peaceful poll.  Ahead of Somaliland’s third presidential election on 13 November 2017, the first members of a team of 60 international election observers have arrived in Hargeisa.

The international election observation mission (EOM) has been invited by Somaliland’s National Electoral Commission (NEC) and is funded by the British government. The EOM will conduct its observation activities in accordance with the Declaration of Principles for International Election Observation, emphasising the impartiality of that observation.

This EOM marks the fourth election in Somaliland observed and reported on by DPU and Somaliland Focus since 2005. As the third presidential election (following the polls in 2003 and 2010), it is the first poll to use a new voter registration system, which itself marks the first use of iris-scan biometric technology in an African election. The election was delayed by devastating droughts in 2016 and 2017, and comes at a time when Somaliland is attracting significant infrastructure investment from the Middle East and alongside Somalia’s own efforts to rebuild its shattered political system. The EOM is particularly hopeful that the implementation of the voter registration system will address issues that have marred previous elections, and looks forward to commencing its mission.

The EOM is led by the Development Planning Unit (DPU) at University College London (UCL), and Somaliland Focus UK. Team coordinators will examine all aspects of the pre-election campaign, including access by political parties to locations for campaigning, the equality of access to the media, and the procedures that will be employed for the distribution of election materials, voting itself and the counting and tallying of ballots. The full team, which includes observers from 24 countries, will assemble on 8 November, departing Somaliland 16 November, with a small team remaining to observe the post-election period, including the declaration of results. The EOM will observe polling stations across Somaliland’s six regions, and will publish its final report in the first half of 2018.

Says Dr Michael Walls of DPU, chief observer on the EOM:

“This election will mark a milestone in Somaliland’s electoral development as it will be the first time that the incumbent has not challenged for the top job. As ever, there have been complex realignments in the positioning of different groups, and a peaceful and credible poll would represent a significant step forward in the consolidation of the representative democracy that has become such an impressive hallmark of Somaliland politics over the past 15 years.”

For a pdf version of the press release, click here.

For the Somali version of the press release, click here.

Source: UNPO