The National Electoral Commission (NEC) has on Monday sworn in the staffers who are charged with the task of preparing and sorting materials to be used for the Presidential Elections and that of Political Organizations.
Both elections are to be held simultaneously on the 13th of November 2024.
According to a brief press release broadcasted by the National Electoral Commission on their social media site of Facebook, the electoral institution noted the administration of the oath to the staffers who would be handling the materials as per their duties.
It read; “The National Electoral Commission of the Republic of Somaliland has today sworn in the staff who will be handling the ballot papers materials and boxes for the polling stations for both the elections of the president and the vice president and that of the political parties”.
In essence, workers who are to sort the materials for designated areas and polling booths ought to be beyond reproach hence have to take the oath of duty for their expected diligence is imperative crucial for the electoral process.
The President of the Republic of Somaliland, His Excellency Muse Bihi Abdi, has officially launched Somaliland Airline’s new aircraft, which will be used to train local pilots.
The President unveiled the planes, a project developed in collaboration with Serbian experts, and personally piloted the airline’s first flight, which concluded successfully.
President Bihi also laid the foundation stone for the new Aviation Institute under the Somaliland Civil Aviation and Airport Authority, which will focus on aviation science. Additionally, he launched the construction of a new terminal at Egal International Airport. Furthermore, the President inaugurated the newly modernized VIP lounge for dignitaries at the airport.
During the event, key officials, including ministers and experts involved in training future pilots, commended the nation’s progress and the significant role this project will play in the country’s development.
In his remarks, President Muse Bihi Abdi praised the efforts of the aviation authorities in realizing his vision for Somaliland to own and operate its own aircraft.
The President concluded the event by awarding certificates of honor to young Somalilanders who studied aviation abroad, as well as to foreign experts who will train them to fly the new Somaliland Airline aircraft.
The Somaliland Ethics, Dispute Resolution, and Election Monitoring Committee has warned all national political parties and organizations to adhere strictly to the electoral code of conduct and the campaign schedule released by the National Electoral Commission.
This announcement, made by the Chairman of the Ethics Committee, Adan Hussein Muhumed, highlights the critical importance of maintaining order, fairness, and legality during the election period.
In a statement distributed to various political entities, Chairman Muhumed urged parties and organizations to respect the country’s religious and legal framework, cautioning them against any actions that go against Islamic principles, the nation’s laws, or established good practices.
“We inform all political parties, organizations, and the public to avoid anything that Islam, good practices, and the country’s laws prohibit,” Muhumed said in the statement. The reminder comes at a crucial time, as the election campaign season intensifies.
Key Points in the Statement:
We inform all political parties/organizations and the public to avoid anything Islam religion, good practices, and the country’s laws prohibited.
To implement the decrees issued by the President and the Minister of Internal Affairs
That political parties and organizations stick to the designated time of the election campaign calendar
To avoid tribalism and alienation of the community and the hatred that the parties/organizations and their supporters use.
People prohibited by the rules warned not to get involved in politics, such as government employees, and the military, or using government vehicles.
National Electoral Commission’s Campaign Regulations
In addition to the code of conduct, the National Electoral Commission has outlined a strict campaign schedule to be observed by all political parties:
Campaign Preparation: Parties may prepare for campaigns between 8:00 PM and 11:00 PM the night before the campaign begins. However, using loudspeakers outside the offices is not permitted during these hours.
Campaign Hours: Campaigning is only allowed from 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM each day. Any party violating this schedule will face penalties.
Designated Campaign Days: Parties are expected to observe the designated campaign days as specified by the Election Commission. Any deviation from this will result in disciplinary actions.
Criminal Activity: Acts of vandalism, such as defacing party offices or tearing down campaign posters, will be met with strict legal consequences. The security forces have been authorized to handle any such incidents.
Prohibition on Mixing Party Symbols: The use of mixed symbols, offices, or vehicles among different political parties is strictly forbidden to avoid confusion and maintain electoral integrity.
The Ethics Committee’s call to action underscores the need for all political parties and their supporters to engage in peaceful, respectful campaigns that prioritize the well-being of the nation. Any failure to comply with these regulations could result in disciplinary actions, as the committee remains committed to ensuring a free and fair electoral process.
As the campaign period progresses, the Committee’s directive serves as a timely reminder for political actors to uphold democratic principles, foster unity, and avoid actions that could undermine the credibility of the election.
Somaliland Ethics Committee Urges Parties to Follow Campaign Rules
With elections on the horizon, the Ethics Committee’s emphasis on respecting the code of conduct and the campaign schedule is a critical step toward ensuring a peaceful and transparent electoral process. Political parties are urged to take this guidance seriously as the country prepares for what is expected to be a closely contested election
As the campaign period progresses, the Committee’s directive serves as a timely reminder for political actors to uphold democratic principles, foster unity, and avoid actions that could undermine the credibility of the election.
We ask the supporters of various parties and organizations to express their feelings and vote peacefully, says the NEC chair
The ballot papers for the upcoming 13th of November “024 elections have arrived in the country.
This was disclosed on Saturday morning by the Chairman of the National Electoral Commission (NEC) Mr. Musa Hassan Yusuf who once again pledged that they would be holding free and fair elections for the country.
At hand, to receive the ballot papers at the Egal International Airport were the NEC commissioners who were accompanied by representatives of both the political parties and organizations in the race under the auspices of the ad-hoc implementation committee (Taskforce).
The chairman of the national commission Mr. Musa who spoke on the occasion said that “the democratic processes practiced in Somaliland as demonstrated with the arrival of the ballot papers is a blow to the enemies of Somaliland with the arrival of the voting papers” and advisedly reminded the populaces to be ready to exercise their political rights by coming out to vote en-masse.
The chairman said at the venue, “We are here presenting to the members of the public that the voting materials have arrived today in the country”.
“We ask the supporters of various parties and organizations to express their feelings and vote in a peaceful manner” he said
He announced that the NEC’s preparations were complete and emphasized the need to hold the elections incident-free to the satisfaction of all and in triumph for the nation.
A meeting to launch the voter awareness campaign has been convened and organized by the Netherlands Multiparty Institute for Democracy (NMID), and attended by various civil society organizations led by Somaliland Association of Non-Governmental Organizations of SONSAF under chair Anwar Abdirahman Warsame.
The Chairman of the National Electoral Commission underscored at the meeting the imperative importance of civil organizations to take their role in educating the members of the public on the exercising of their political rights and understand well the procedures of casting ballots and associated electoral processes incumbent upon them.
The country is expected to go to polls on the 13th of November 2024 in a twin election for both the residency and official political parties as per constitution.
NEC commissioner Bidaan explained the requirements of civil organizations and how they are accountable as a commission to see to it that the education campaigns are done well and appropriate information is imparted to the populaces duly.
While instructing them to be as independent as possible, he cautioned them against partisanship, noting that educating the members of the public was of paramount importance.
Of note was the fact that the community organizations were urged to be timely and precise in disseminating the information and educating the populaces as per cue.
On their part, some of the civil society organizations in attendance pledged to be prompt and steadfast in the duties bestowed upon them and convey the messages to the masses appropriately.
The Somaliland National Party “Waddani” Presidential Aspirant, Hon. Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi “Irro” and other top party officials today in Hargeisa, the capital of the Republic of Somaliland had a meeting with the Ambassador of Sweden, Ambassador Joachim Waern, who is based in Nairobi.
During the meeting the Presidential Hopeful and the visiting diplomats focused on the issues of the parallel elections that will take place in the country on 13 Nov 2024, the political plan of the National Party and issues related to the policies and the current security situation in the Horn of Africa.
He added that the party’s vision is a united Somaliland, assured of its place in the world, as a sovereign, peaceful, prosperous and democratic nation.With internal cohesion and perseverance, we can achieve international recognition. Self-determination is an inalienable right of the people of Somaliland. Key overarching goals of this manifesto are our unwavering quest for recognition and our commitment to sustaining peace.
Hon. Irro further said his party will reform our system government. Reducing inefficiency and corruption is a priority: we will deliver a transparent and responsible government serving the people of Somaliland. We will transform state institutions, the civil service and local government to serve the people with humility, integrity and the rule of law.
The Ministry of Mines and Energy of Somaliland has signed a memorandum of understanding with a company from the Emirates Industrial Laboratory (EIL) which works on mining issues.
This agreement with the UAE-owned company entails the installation of an ultra-modern lab in the country that would enable Somaliland to skillfully conduct metallurgical and associated tests.
The EIL is renowned in specializing in industrial lab techniques services such as in metallurgical evaluations, chemical analysis, NDT, field inspection, petrochemical and oil and a myriad of associated industrial testing services.
The Ministry of Mines and Energy of Somaliland, which signed the agreement with the Emirates Industrial Laboratory, said that “there was a great need for such laboratory equipment and mineral testing in Somaliland, and now a solution has been found to the existing challenges”.
“We have signed a memorandum of understanding with Emirates Industrial Laboratory, which will invest in the mining laboratory of the ministry, whether it is a building or equipment”, said the Director General of the Ministry of Mines and Energy Mohamed Osman Saeed (Mohamed Somali) as he spoke to BBC while in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.
Somaliland said that “Initially the minerals mined locally were taken abroad for testing and verification to discern type or quality but now the services will be able to be done within the country”.
The President of the Republic of Somaliland H.E. Musa Bihi Abdi held a special meeting at the Presidential Palace with some members of the Hargeisa city community with a hearing loss fraternity led by the officials of the Somaliland Association of the Deaf (SODA).
They took the opportunity to inform the Head of State of their plight that encompassed general circumstances surrounding their lives as per educational and social needs are concerned.
They informed the President of the imperative support that they direly needed from the government.
Present at the meeting were the ministers of education, health and that of family and social affairs.
The SODA members who spoke included their Chairman Mr. Hassan Haybe Olujoog, SODA director Mustafe Mohamed Osman, Head of Sports Nassir Abdi Adan.
Others included Hibo Mohamed Dahir, Naciima Mahdi Abdi Maal, Hana Ali Jirde, and Abdirisaq Abdilahi Ahmed, Faysa Mohamud Hassan and Abdimaalik Ahmed.
They all thanked the President and his government for the reception accorded to them and special care they provide to the members of the hearing loss community hence requested to have their education support bolstered and jobs availed to them.
The Ministers of Education Hon. Dr. Ahmed Aden Buhane and Employment, Social and Family Affairs Hon. Ali Omar Mohamed (Hoor-Hoor) on their part thanked the president for welcoming the hearing impaired community, and pointed out that the government would do the necessary things for them since members of the hearing loss community were a major part of the plans of the government.
The President H.E. Musa Bihi Abdi lastly thanked the hearing impaired youth for accepting the invitation he extended to them, and stated that the government is committed to greatly support their fraternity hence do anything possible to enable them go about their lives with improved ease.
Somaliland’s election campaign has entered its 7th day the Hilaac (Lightning) political organization held its rallies on the first day across the country but mainly focuses in the towns of Borama and Berbera.
The supporters expressed their happiness as the Hilaac political organization presented its plans for the future and the reasons behind its establishment.
In several arenas and public meeting places supporters were seen converging in large numbers as the chanted their political slogans with shouts of may we win’ ranting at the air as the listened to speakers after speakers selling their policies to voters.
Of note was the party leader Ahmed Ismael Samatar who addressed a large gathering of hundreds of supporters in Borama, urging them to vote as a block.
He revealed that he has for long been sore and exasperated that his community was subjected to tyranny of the numbers hence urged them to vote as a block such that they may be reckoned with by voting in the such that it may be an official political party.
He said that ‘the time of begging and soliciting for alms is over’ and that the people ought to stand up to be seen by being triumphant.
He said that despite the fact that the nation has made major strides for the past three decades, the hurdles of the political cross-roads that the country is presently at can be overcome by having Awdal being at the fore-front.
He said, “Political groupings mean that you have a base from which you can take off from such that you may concretely be in the country’s politics, and make sound decisions on the economy, education, health, and the power structure within the country.”
He said it was to this connection that he formed the organization in anticipation of making the region politically formidable.
He pointed out that the elections should be able to turn a new page for the Awdal residents hence they ought to turn out in large numbers and control their own fate.
The campaigns saw numerous similar meetings held in various districts and urban centers.
The elections scheduled to be held on 13th November 2024 are for both the presidential and political party organizations.
The Constitution requires that the top three political organizations become the official political parties in the nation for a period of three years.
The currently existing three official political parties viz, KULMIYE, WADDANI and UCID are being challenged by seven other political organizations, with Hilaac trying its hand in it.
Both elections are to be held simultaneously on the same day.
