Apr 08, 2009

Somaliland: Presidential Decree Sets Election Date


Active ImageThe Somaliland President, Mr. Dahir Rayale Kahin, issued a Presidential Decree setting the new date of the elections.
 
 
 
Below is an article published by: Somaliland Press

The Somaliland President, Mr. Dahir Rayale Kahin issued a Presidential Decree setting the new date of the elections to be on 27th of September 2009. According to a press release yesterday [6 April 2009] by the government’s spokesman, Mr. Said Adani Moge, this came after taking the Guurti’s [Somaliland Upper House of Parliament] extension into consideration and the new proposal from the Electoral Commission that the new date will be on the 27th of September 2009.

The Guurti’s decision was the most controversial issue since the last few weeks where the opposition parties slammed the decision saying it is unconstitutional while the government insisted that the Guurti has the mandate to extend the government’s term if there are reasonable conditions.

Yesterday [6 April 2009], the Electoral Commission issued a press release yesterday [6 April 2009] to set a new date for the elections inline with the latest Guurti’s extension. Immediately, the President issued a Presidential Decree to confirm the new date set by the committee.

This comes after the main opposition party said they do not recognize the government’s legitimacy after the government’s term ends on 6th of April 2009. Yesterday, Kulmiye supporters started a demonstration in Hargeisa which was blocked by the government after the police fired in the air and dispersed the crowd.