Ballot counting is ongoing in Somaliland election. The voting ended peacefully on Wednesday evening. Self declared country Somaliland is internationally recognized part of Somalia. The delayed general election is being contested by three main candidates.
Over a million voters were expected to cast ballots. Since early morning, long queues have been seen on and around polling stations. Incumbent Muse Bihi Abdi, representing Kulmiye, is eying another term. Abdirahman, from Waddani Party, is the second candidate. The contest between Muse Bihi and Abdirahman is likely to be very close. Third candidate, Faisal Ali Warabe, is leading UCID party. According to several analysts, Faisal is expected to get less than 5% of cast votes.
Tim Cole, a former British diplomat, led the team of international observers to monitor today’s election. Counting of ballots is underway and final result will be announced on November 21, 2024.
Somaliland is known for conducting the most transparent elections in the turbulent Horn of Africa where either no general elections are held, as is the case in Eritrea, or elections lack transparency. Neighboring Ethiopia held General Election in 2021 but it was boycotted by all major opposition parties. Somalia holds indirect election. It is trying to shift from indirect to direct election (one person one vote), but some regional states like Puntland and Jubaland are refusing to accept the change.
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