Somaliland: a major ballot for an unrecognized state
Supporters of the ruling Kulmiye party campaign on May 27, 2021. AFP - MUSTAFA SAEED
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Somalilanders are being called to the polls on Monday, May 31.
These legislative and municipal elections represent an important stake for this territory not recognized by the international community.
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With our correspondent in Nairobi,
Albane Thirouard
Somaliland is organizing its legislative and municipal elections on Monday.
The more than one million registered voters will choose the 82 members of the House of Representatives, the lower house of Parliament, as well as the 212 municipal councilors.
These two polls are eagerly awaited because their organization has fallen significantly behind due to a severe drought and disagreements between the different parties.
The last legislative elections were held in 2005 and the last municipal ones in 2012, when deputies and municipal councilors are normally elected for five-year terms.
Their holding is therefore an opportunity for Somaliland to reaffirm its democratic practice.
Observers
The Electoral Commission ensures that everything is in place for the proper conduct of these elections.
2,709 polling stations were installed.
And more than 1,000 police officers have been deployed to Hargeisa to keep voters safe.
An international team, funded by the British government but managed by the University of London, was also seconded to Somaliland to observe the electoral process.
These observers inspected the voting material this weekend.
The nearly 800 candidates for the two ballots, including 28 women, completed their electoral campaign on Friday.
According to the Constitution, only three parties are authorized to present candidates for the legislative elections.
A rule which also applies to the presidential election and which aims to limit political tribalism.
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