Somalilandsun: The National Elections Commission-NEC has officially launched nationwide voter registration as prelude to the parliamentary ad local council’s polls slated for April 2021.
The launch hosted by NEC at the Mansoor hotel in the capital Hargeisa was witnessed by various dignitaries among them government officials, leaders of the three national political parties of Kulmiye, Wadani and UCID, Civil Society organizations as well as ordinary citizens.
According to NEC the voter registration which initially targets those not registered before shall see the first phase begin on the 29th November 2020 as per the schedule below
This officially launch is in fulfillment of presidential decree that set the dates for voter registration in which NEC had earlier on acted upon with release of a four phased schedule as
Phase One, Awdal Region, Gabiley District, , Baligubadle and Salahley districts 29th November to 02 December,
Phase 2, Hargeisa District and Sahil Region December 13th to 16th, 2020.
Phase 3, Togdheer Region, Aynaba District, Gar-Adag District and Ceel Af-weyn District, 27 December to 30 December.
Phase 4, Erigavo ,Badhan, Dhahar District, Lasqoray District, Las Anod , Hudun and Taleh Districts 10 January to 13 January, 202.
These dates will see NEC undertake only the registration of new voters while those already registered and have list their cards or want to change voting venue will be accommodated later.
Registration will take place at all designated polling stations in the Republic of Somaliland, and will last for four days in each phase.
The launch concurred on the illegality of double registration which will see any culprit apprehended, lose the right to vote, and will be prosecuted as well as denied the right to vote in future
For voters who already registered in 2016 and lost their cards or want a Change of Place, they will be served once the registration of newcomers is complete.
In conclusion it was emphasized and reiterated that between November 29th and January 13th, 2021, unregistered voters and those who have reached the voting age are guaranteed a voters card by the country’s Constitution
