Somaliland: State and Non-State Actors Concur on Imperatives of Free and Fair Elections

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By:President  Dr Silanyo (4th L) poses with SONSAF  Administration officlas after meeting at the presidency Yusuf M Hasan

HARGEISA (Somalilandsun) – The Administration and civil society Organizations are working in partnership towards the occurrence of free and fair elections.

The administration of President Dr Ahmed Mahmud Silanyo has agreed to work in collaboration with Non-state actors in order to ensure that imminent local council elections are held in a conducive environment thus free and fair outcome.

This agreement was reached during a meeting the president held with representatives of the Somaliland Non-State Actors Forum –SONSAF at the presidency in Hargeisa.

According to a press statement released by presidential spokesperson Mr Ahmed Suleiman Duhul the head of state commended SONSAF members for their tireless efforts in the provision of civic education as well as other ongoing and planned activities the forum is performing as pertains to elections preparedness nationwide.

“It is a national prerogative that a conducive environment exists for the occurrence of free and fair elections” said Dr Silanyo.

The head of state who assured of the governments’ commitment to ensuring security nationwide promised to see to it that all security agencies are fully prepared for availing citizens a secure election outcome.

Upon thanking the president for hosting them, SONSAF representatives informed that the Forum has been working tirelessly to ensure that the citizenry is prepared for elections especially as it pertains to their rights and voting procedures.

At the meeting SONSAF which is made up of several Local Civil Society organizations’ was represented by a high powered delegation from its executive committee while the state reps included Public works minister Ahmed A Habsade, Interior minister Duur Arale, Presidency minister Hirsi Haji Ali, Fisheries minister Abdilahi Geeljire and deputy information minister Abdilahi Ukuse.

The local council elections which have attracted seven political groups and over a thousand local council candidates shall be held on 28th November and observed by an international election mission from 16 countries and numerous organizations.