The three national political parties and National Elections Commission –NEC have reaffirmed commitment to a timely, free and fair parliamentary and local council’s elections as slated on the 31st May 2021.
The agreement to ensure the successful conduct of Somaliland’s first joint parliamentary and councils polls was reached after the NEC and the political parties of Kulmiye, Wadani and UCID signed the electoral code of conduct in Hargeisa.
The event was facilitated by local non state actor’s umbrella body SONSAF further ensued with the political party’s leadership pledging to abide by the terms of the Code, enshrined in the Somaliland elections law.
This exercise which takes place in the run-up to elections in Somaliland has the objective of promoting conditions that are conducive to free and fair elections, more specifically ensuring that all the main players (State, Political parties and NEC) are
- a) Tolerant to divergent political views based on democracy
- b) Facilitate peaceful and free political electioneering and open public debate; and
- c) respect for human
The just signed political party’s elections code of conduct takes after that of 2009 which came about several deliberations between the political parties, state and Non State Actors as well as Somaliland democratization process partners.
Just as with political parties the National elections commission also enters as it has so far done for the 31st May polls has overseen signature to the Somaliland Elections Media Code of Conduct
in retrospect to 2009 The preamble to the code Ref: XK/KD Q /723/ 09 reads
The three political parties of Somaliland,
“After holding a series of meetings in which the upcoming presidential election was discussed
Fully aware of the importance of the presidential election to the people of Somaliland;
Mindful that successful completion of the democratic process will further advance the cause of Somaliland;
Recognizing that free and fair elections will enhance the prospect for enlarged freedom and justice in Somaliland;
Cognizant of the inherent risks and threats to the nascent democracy in the transitional period
Fully aware of the urgent need to create an environment that is conducive to holding free and fair elections;
Mindful of the shortcomings of the Presidential and Local Council Law, amendments to the voter registration that needs to be concluded so that election takes place in a proper manner
Have agreed to abide by the letter and the spirit of this Code of Conduct which was jointly developed by the National Electoral Commission and the three political parties and which was signed by the parties and witnessed by the National Electoral Commission on 11 July 2009
For Details of the Somaliland Elections law and main actors code of conduct visit http://www.somalilandlaw.com/
Read full Somaliland Presidential Elections Political Parties Code of Conduct 2009
Electoral_Code_of_Conduct_2009
Source: SomalilandSun.com
