Signing The Code Of Conduct Is A Good Augury For Somaliland’s Presidential Polls

Signing The Code Of Conduct Is A Good Augury For Somaliland's Presidential Polls

By Mukhtar Mohamed Abby The much anticipated Presidential polls of Somaliland that had been repeatedly procrastinated by the failed and repugnant Riyale administration is finally seem to be afoot with the people of Somaliland are going to the polls in June next month to choose a new President; with the national political parties of the country – have mostly recently inked the Election Code of Conduct in the presence of the high commands of the political parties, the chairman of the National Election Commission of Somaliland, the Somaliland's Speaker of Parliament, the chairperson of the Election of Commission of Ghana and a host of dignitaries drawn from the civil society. With the political parties signing the Code of Conduct for the upcoming elections in Somaliland is a reflection of good augury for the polls to take place in a dignified fashion .And the people of Somaliland who had been waiting to go to the polls to exercise their franchise at the ballet - box – have ecstatically applauded the signing of the Code of Conduct and termed it as a turning point for Somaliland's democratic governance and its existence as a sovereign State. Previously, Somaliland's Presidential elections were originally scheduled to be held in April 2008. But Riyale administration was granted 18 months through the bicameral legislature's unelected House of Elders – using means whose constitutionality is questionably at the best. President Riyale's insistence delays result solely from logistical problem with orchestrating the elections has been disingenuous. Somaliland has held credible elections before with less institutional capacity than it has today. Logistical hurdles and incompetence were real problems, but they result largely from the government's total failure to meet its responsibilities. The Riyale administration obtained an initial one – and – half-year extension of its mandate in 2008 in order to have a second chance at organising the polls and then squandered. Once the extension given to the President Riyale has come to an end without making the elections agreed to be held in September 2009 to materialise, he and his henchmen willfully instigated a pandemonium and turbulence in the Election Commission of Somaliland by insisting that the outcome of the voter registration list yielded by the Election Commission in association with the techno-experts from the Interpeace agency is bogus and is not conducive to the universal suffrage, and therefore, cannot be used it for the polls. The President had unilaterally discarded the voter registration list on which hundreds of bucks have been spent without the consultation with the leaders of the opposition parties, who had been previously unhappy over the repeatedly delayed elections. These, however, again kept the people of Somaliland living in and outside of the country on the tenterhooks. And were worried what might happen, because Riyale and his henchmen were always seemed truculent, which finally led to street protests against the unilaterally invalidation of the voter registration list in which innocent protesters had been killed and others were wounded. Somaliland's constantly delayed elections and weaseled out of the agreements struck by the political parties - by the Riyale administration – had come in for worldwide criticism and at the same time called into question the Somaliland's readiness for democratisation process. The credit goes to the current National Election Commission who is unlike its predecessor, who tarnished the Somaliland's hard – earned image and reputation in which it has enjoyed over the years. The erstwhile Election Commission was the reason for the bone of contention and that they failed to convince the opposition parties to reason out its continually postponed polls. But they seemed to have been dictated terms by the Riyale administration - and were allegedly in receipt of kick backs, and further its integrity and sincerity were highly questionable at the best. The incumbent Election Commission is so far doing its tasks and responsibilities with which they are entrusted wholeheartedly and enthusiastically. More so, its tasks have impressed the people as well as the political parties of Somaliland. The incumbent Election Commission of Somaliland is unlike its predecessor for a number of reasons: firstly, they are young, energetic, dynamic and active and result oriented. Secondly, they are unbiased and don't have vested interest as in the case of its former, and in addition, there is level playing field for its members in the deliberation on the issues pertaining to the election arrangements. Thirdly, they are aware of the responsibility with which they are delegated is very challenging, and if they fail to carry out its tasks accordingly they know where the buck stops meaning if something goes wrong they would be held accountable. We're well aware of that the frequently stalled elections had tarnished the Somaliland's image and that it is incumbent upon the Election Commission of Somaliland not only to hold the elections as intended, but also must ensure a free and fair elections be held across Somaliland in accordance with the international benchmark; and this is the only thing I believe the Somaliland's stained image be restored. Mostly recently the high command of the ruling party – UDUB has made no bones about its dissatisfaction with the result produced by the Server and that rumours are doing the rounds that UDUB wants to return to power once again through political manipulation. However, the international community is training its eyes on the forth coming of Somaliland's elections - and that the National Election Commission should at any cost avoid what is provoking a bone of contention as is happened before. And make the elections happen as scheduled without further delay. Mukhtar Mohamed Abby India, Karnataka State The writer can be reached at mukhtarcabi@hotmail.com