Somaliland rejects Puntland claims of seizing ballot boxes 

The minister announced that the Somaliland election that started on Monday has been concluded peacefully in the evening and the turnout was high when compared to previous elections in the northern region.

News Keydmedia Online
1 June 2021

HARGEISA, Somalia – Somaliland has denied claims by Puntland state that its forces have seized ballot boxes and election papers ahead and during the breakaway region’s parliamentary and local polls.

Speaking to the local media, Somaliland’s minister of interior Mohamed Kahin Ahmed described Puntland's statement as “baseless” and a move aimed at disrupting the election in the disputed regions.

The minister announced that the Somaliland election that started on Monday has been concluded peacefully in the evening and the turnout was high when compared to previous elections in the northern region.

At least 246 candidates from the three registered political parties – Kulmiye, Wadani, and UCID are competing in the elections in one of the toughest races for the seats of the House of representatives.

More than 1 million voters cast their votes in this year’s election with officials saying the increase in the number of registered voters is attributed to the participation of the local youths.

The result of Monday’s election is expected to be announced within one or two days, per the poll body. 

Somaliland’s parliamentary election has not been held for almost 16 years due to internal rifts and deadlock among the political parties over the election commission and the process.

The region claimed self-independence in 1991 and did not gain international recognization for 30 years despite running its own government and currency as well as an army.

KEYDMEDIA English