Somaliland: State Asks GUURTI to Synchronize Election Date with Expiry of Parliament’s Tenure

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a pre covid 19 Somaliland council of ministers meetring chaired by president Muse Bihi in hargeisa

Somalilandsun: The Council of cabinet meeting asked the Upper House of Parliament, the GUURTI, to synchronize the dates of the slated day of the parliamentary and civic elections to that of the expiry of the tenure of the legislative council.

This is part of advisories and orders given to the stakeholders of the electioneering processes in the country.

The advice given was during the 70th session of the cabinet meeting which delved at length into the electioneering process which would culminate on the 31st of May, 2021 polling day.

The meeting which was graced by the attendance of the President H.E. Musa Bihi Abdi, who chaired it while flanked by his deputy H.E. Abdirahman Abbdillahi Ismael, asked the three official political parties to adhere to the election laws as pertains to the selection of candidates.

For instance, the candidates are required to avail affidavits proclaiming their adherence to the election laws.

In the same breath, the ministers appealed to the media industry in the country to disseminate the rules and regulations of elections to the populace.

The security arms in general were directed to see to it that peace and order is bolstered in the country during the electioneering processes, such that stability may be maintained.

It is the GUURTI, which is empowered with the task of extending parliamentary, civic, and/or the presidential tenures in accordance with the law in order to avoid vacuum of mandated powers as necessary, where applicable.

The cabinet sub-committee for political affairs was directed to see to it that the executions of the orders were adhered to.

It is worth noting that the political parties have already whole heartedly ushered in the proposed date of the elections hence are readily eager to participate given that it has been long overdue.

Secondly, the registration of potential election voters have had its exercise completed in the whole country, save for little pockets of extensions in few centres.

By M.A. Egge