Somaliland: Parliament Gives the President a Week To Comply With The Electoral Law

Somaliland Parliament ruled unlawful a joint decision by Riyale administration and National Electoral Commission?s to attempt to suspend the voter registration list in the upcoming presidential election.
The parliament also ruled that the NEC overstepped its power by participating in this attempt to suspend the voter registration list.
The parliament gave both the President and NEC one week to comply with Electoral Laws, which in effect forces them to fall in line and hold the presidential elections slated for September 27 using the current voter registration list.
The bill voted for by the majority in the Parliamentarians, calls for appropriate punishment in accordance with the law if neither part does not comply with today?s ruling. Parliamentarians who tabled the bill say the consequence of non-compliance is impeachment for Riyale and the NEC.
MP also condemned Riyale administration?s decision to expel the Interpeace from Somaliland and urged the president to refrain from actions that can damage the country?s relations with nations that support Somaliland democratization process.
The Parliament?s ruling came after several days of debate on Riyale?s decision with the blessing of the NEC to hold a ?no holds barred? presidential election removing the normal election restrictions such as requirement for voters to show IDs with prior registration and non-ability to vote outside their precinct. Riyale who was not happy with the large number of voters registering in regions where his party is growingly unpopular, alleges voter registration fraud took place in those regions and wanted to remove the restrictions imposed by the electoral laws. If Riyale had his way any one in Somaliland could vote in polling stations of their choice without anything preventing the voters from committing fraud at polling booths. A move which the opposition say will favor the ruling party by opening the door for serious electoral fraud and future legal problems.
Senior members of the opposition also suspect Riyale, whose term has been ?unconstitutionally? extended for a total of 17 months, of seeking yet another term extension.
The opposition parties found strong support from Parliament and the majority of the public in rejecting Riyale?s attempted suspension of the voter registration list.