Intense Election preparations and Competition in Somaliland as Ruling and Opposition Parties Battle for Votes

On the 13th of this month, the Somaliland region is set to hold an election featuring a competition among the three long-standing political parties: Kulmiye, which currently holds power, Waddani, a reform-oriented opposition party, and UCID, a smaller party with less influence and lower chances of winning.

The primary contenders expected to go head-to-head until the end are Muse Bihi Abdi from the ruling Kulmiye party and Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi famously known as”Cirro” from the opposition Waddani party.

In recent days, the two candidates have exchanged strong statements, each aiming to sway the public and secure the votes needed for victory.

Members of parliament, political figures, and other influential individuals switching from one party to another have intensified their efforts in campaigning as elections come nearer each day.

Meanwhile, the electoral commission has reportedly completed preparations, including gathering the necessary equipment, ensuring the voter registry is accurate, and arranging transport for voting materials.

In Hargeisa, the capital, delegations are arriving to observe the election process firsthand, amid anticipation that tensions could arise in certain areas due to the intense rivalry among supporters of the competing parties.

The electoral commission has trained election staffs to ensure that the voting process is peaceful, transparent, and free from tampering. The chairman of the commission emphasized that lessons learned from previous elections would be applied to this one.

Updates to follow