The National Electoral Commission (NEC) of Breakaway region of Somaliland has officially announced the campaign timeline for the upcoming Presidential and Political Party elections. As per the announcement, the campaign will take place from October 19 to November 10, 2024, allowing political groups and parties to share their agendas with the public.
Muse Haji Yusuf, the NEC Chairman, stated that the campaign period will last for 23 days, distributing time among seven political organizations and three established political parties.
This well-organized schedule ensures all participating factions have a fair chance to engage voters before the elections.
Scheduled for November 13, 2024, these elections represent a pivotal moment in Somaliland’s democratic evolution.
This will be the fourth presidential election since the region adopted a democratic electoral framework in 2002, empowering the populace to select their President and Vice President.
Three prominent political parties will vie for the presidency: Kulmiye, represented by the current President Muse Bihi Abdi; Waddani, the opposition party led by Dr. Abdirahman Mohamed Abdilahi Cirro; and UCID, with Eng. Faisal Ali Warabe as its candidate.
In addition to the presidential election, this cycle will also shape Somaliland’s political future by electing various political organizations and parties.
This marks the third occurrence of such elections in the region, where both presidential and party elections will appear on the same ballot.
The dual elections have generated excitement, but there have also been delays due to legal disputes about their timing.
Ultimately, a consensus was reached to conduct both elections simultaneously.
The upcoming elections on November 13 are essential for Somaliland’s democratic trajectory, marking a crucial step towards fortifying political institutions through fair and transparent electoral competition.
Additionally, the Somaliland Electoral Commission has inaugurated the Ethics, Conflict Resolution, and Election Monitoring Committees, a critical milestone in preparing for the anticipated elections.
During the swearing-in ceremony, Musa Hassan Yusuf, the Chairman of the Electoral Commission, reassured participants that the elections would proceed as planned and remain on schedule.