By M.A. Egge
The Somaliland Electoral Commission has fined both Kulmiye and Waddani parties 10 million Somaliland Shillings each for indulging in political campaigns before the start of the officially stipulated time.
The Ethics Committee of the Commission, who spoke to the media, said that the political parties violated the code of conduct in conducting preliminary campaigns in some regions.
“We have fined the two parties, Wadani and Kulmiye, 10 million Somaliland shillings each. We have also suspended the campaigns of the two parties”, said the Chairman of the Ethics Committee.
The committee likewise prohibited the use of government vehicles for campaigning in the elections.
Immediately after the order was spelt out, the WADDANI presidential candidacy flag-bearer Abdirahman Abdillahi Mohamed Irro announced the prompt heeding to the order and forthwith suspended his much hyped tour to the areas of Sabawanaag, Addadley, Balli-Maataan, Qoton-Daba and Balli-Kalil and their environments.
“We have canceled the trip in compliance with the order issued tonight by the Ethics Committee of the National Elections Commission of the Republic of Somaliland,” said Abdirahman Irro.
The presidential and party election campaigns will officially begin on October 19, and will end on November 10, two days before the voting day. The new 7 political organizations will each have two days to campaign nationally; while the official three political parties will have three days each. This election will determine who will be the president of Somaliland for the next 5 years.
Only the top three winners will become the official mandated political parties for a period of ten years.