Somaliland: NEC Slates 31st May 2021 as Date for Consolidated Elections, Pends Presidential Assent

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President Bihi and VP Sayli pose with NEC Commissioners after meeting in Hargeisa on 16th Jan 2021

Somalilandsun: A few days after completing a nationwide voter registration the Somaliland National Election Commission-NEC has revealed readiness to conduct the country’s first consolidated parliamentary and local council’s polls in May this year.

According a statement released by the presidential press office in Hargeisa NEC revealed their readiness and dates in a letter REF #: KDQ / XK / 002/2021 submitted to the President of the Republic of Somaliland, HE Muse Bihi Abdi. The statement reads

The members of the Electoral Commission, who have officially completed the second phase of voter registration, have submitted a letter to the President specifying 31st /05 / 2021 as of the planned and first ever consolidated parliamentary and local council’s elections.

The President of the Republic of Somaliland, HE Muse Bihi Abdi, thanked the members of the Electoral Commission for their efforts in completing the second phase of voter registration, and expressed his readiness and commitment to avail the electoral body full support in his capacity as head of state.

Flanked by his deputy President Bihi meets NEC commissioners at the Somaliland presidency in Hargeisa

“As promised citizens we are going to hold the elections in a timely, transparent and fair manner, Insha Allah” said the president while commending the commissioners for surmounting the many challenges thus leading to an actual date for the pools. End

Though the Somaliland constitution mandates NEC with authority to fix election dates the president has the final approval say which he is expected to effect through an official decree.