By Goth Mohamed Goth
Hargeisa — Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi (lrro) convened a meeting with the National Electoral Commission (NEC) and leaders of the three national political parties—WADDANI, KAAH, and KULMIYE—to review the timeline for parliamentary and local council elections, currently scheduled for 31 May 2026.
A statement from the Presidency reported that the NEC informed the assembly that holding the elections as planned is not feasible. The Commission cited technical, security, and humanitarian challenges, including a widespread drought, localized security issues, and delays stemming from disagreements over voter registration procedures.
To address these obstacles, the NEC has stated it requires an extension of ten months beyond the original date of 31 May 2026. This period would be used to complete voter registration, update electoral equipment, and finalize all logistical arrangements for the polls.
The political parties expressed divergent views on the proposed delay. While KAAH opposed postponing the elections, both WADDANI and KULMIYE voiced support for the NEC’s technical assessment.
In response, President Cirro underscored the critical importance of national unity and constructive dialogue. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to fully finance the electoral process, with the ultimate goal of ensuring that the elections are inclusive, transparent, and conducted peacefully.
