Lack of Support for Presidential Poll’s Postponement

Hargeisa (SL Times): After describing the decision of the National Electoral Commission to postpone the presidential poll from Jan 23 to March 30, 2003 as an illegal and inexcusable step, the Somaliland House of Elders vowed on Wednesday to sue the NEC in court for allegedly breaching the country’s constitution. The NEC’s decision entails the extension of President Rayale’s term in office which expires by Feb 23, 2003.

The only body which has the final say on this matter is the House of Elders (Guurti). The overwhelming majority of the Guurti have attacked the NEC’s announcement of the postponement of the presidential election as constitutionally illegal.

"Their job was to explain why they as a commission can’t meet the schedule but not to mess with the constitution," one of the Elders said. Most of the Guurti members believe that the Commission has overstepped its jurisdiction.

The NEC said it needed more time to put in place all the prerequisites for holding a smooth presidential election in the country.

The NEC stressed the need to train its polling officials. It also justified the postponement on the ground that it will need to order ballot papers from India.

The offer, the NEC explained, stipulates a delivery period of 45 days. The move was also necessary in view of requests from the two opposition parties [KULMIYE and UCID] to put off the election to May 2003, the NEC added.

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