The position of the Somaliland parties on election issues

[Deeq A.]

REF/WADDANI/UCID/01/2022 Date: 24-01-2022.

TO: President of Somaliland Republic, H.E. Muse Bihi Abdi. = Presidency=
CC: National Election Commission (NEC). =NEC HQ=
CC: International Partners (stakeholders) =Their Offices=

Subject: Joint Position of Opposition Parties Regarding Constitutional Presidential Election, House of Elders (Guurti) Election Process and Political Organizations/Parties Registration and Election
Excellency, Mr. President,
After warm greetings, cognizant of the necessary efforts that are awaiting Somaliland Republic to address the upcoming elections int his year, namely, 1) the Presidential election which is constitutional, 2) the election of the Guurti which is another constitutional election and 3) the registration of political organizations and their electoral process, the two opposition political parties, UCID and WADDANI are communicating with you about their joint position regarding the abovementioned issues in the following:
First, following up on the decision of the Somaliland Constitutional Court decision no. MSD/DDL/01/2022 issued on the 16th January 2022, ruling the validity of Law No. 14/2011 which indicates that registration process of new political organizations should start six months before the expiration of existing political parties’ licenses which is up to 26th December 2022, according to article 4(r), which states that national political parties have ten (10) years starting from the date they received the certificate, that was 26th December 2012.
Second, the two opposition political parties, UCID and WADDANI underscore that the Presidential election scheduled in 13 November 2022 which is also constitutional, has the first priority because of the following reasons among others; 1) there are no obstacles whatsoever and all its laws, regulations and guidelines are in place, in contrast to other two elections whose laws and regulations are not in place and they need law-making process; 2) it is the first in line scheduled specially before the political organizations/parties registration and competition; 3) the National Election Commission has made all prepared for it and shared with you their plans; 4) the budget for this election has included in this year’s approved budget; 5) and legally, Presidential election is constitutional and no other election governed by a law cannot be prioritized over it as you righly articulated and corroborated in your Presidential Decree No. JSL/XM/GW/081-701/072021 dated 20th July 2021.
Third, the two opposition political parties, are well prepared and ready for any democratic competition, especially for the election and the registration of the political organizations/parties based on Law No. 14/2011 and Law No.91/2020. We also uphold the significance of giving new opportunities to the political participation of citizens in every ten (10) as per the laws of the country. On the other hand, we believe political parties are national assets that need protection and development in accordance to the laws.
Fourth, House of Elders (Guurti) has very significant importance for the Somaliland Republic but no election has been made since 1997 and there is no law in place that governs its election model until today. Preparing for and conducting elections come under the leadership of the president but until now, there is no sign of when and how the Guurti election will be conducted. The two national political parties, UCID and WADDANI see the need for starting the legislation process for the Guurti election and we are ready to support such process.
Excellency, Mr. President, supporting the National Election Commission and safeguarding its independence are the foundations for transparent and timely election. Direct election of political organizations and parties clearly contradicts National General Election Law No. 91/2020 article 2 which circumscribes national elections “National Elections: means the process in which the voters elect the President, Vice President, Members of the House of Representatives, and Local Councils”, as you have also rightly declared in your abovementioned presidential decree.
Finally, we reiterate the need to for avoiding any delays of the planned elections and any other way that jeopardizes the election process and risks eruption of unnecessary conflict that can be averted. Mr. President, we remind you of the significance and benefits of democratic elections for the Republic of Somaliland that have been invested by this nation and international partners who have supported strengthening the democratization process. We call for immediate meeting between national political parties and National Election Commission in order to develop Election Roadmap.

END.

______________________________ __________________________
Eng Faysal Ali Waraabe. Hersi Ali Haji Hassan.
Chairman of UCID Party Chairman of WADDANI Party

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