Somaliland Electoral Commission has imposed a fine of 10 million Somaliland Shillings each on the Kulmiye and Waddani political parties for beginning their election campaigns ahead of the official start date.
The Commission’s Ethics Committee announced on Tuesday that both parties had violated the electoral code of conduct. “We have fined the two parties, Wadani and Kulmiye, 10 million Somaliland shillings each and suspended their campaigns,” said the Chairman of the Ethics Committee.
The committee also banned the use of government vehicles for campaign activities. Following the committee’s decision, Candidate Abdirahman Irro suspended his campaign, which had been scheduled to seek votes in the western areas of Somaliland. Irro cancelled his planned trip to districts including Sabowanaag, Addadley, Balli-Maatan, Qoton-Daba, and Balli-Kalil, in compliance with the Commission’s order.
“The trip has been cancelled in compliance with the order issued tonight by the Ethics Committee of the National Elections Commission of the Republic of Somaliland,” Irro stated.
The official campaign period for the upcoming parallel presidential and party elections will commence on October 19 and end on November 10, just two days before voting day. Seven new political organizations will each be given two days to campaign, while the three major parties will have three days each.
The 2024 Somaliland elections will determine the next president for the coming five years and the three political parties shaping the country’s political landscape for the next decade.
