The following is an interim statement of South African Observers on the Somaliland Presidential Elections on 15th April 2003:
The South African delegation, consisting of participants from key civil society, policy think-tanks and institutions, such as the Electoral Institute of Southern Africa and Institute for Global Dialogue (IGD), and a member of the South African ruling party's African National Congress, congratulate the people of Somaliland.
It has been a wonderful experience to share in your quest for a democratic society. The delegation found that despite the socio-economic challenges facing Somaliland, the will of the people has been expressed.
'We believe democracy was served by this exercise', said Mrs Shannon Field, Mission Leader of the South African observers.
As an African delegation we are proud to have been associated with the people of Somaliland at this historical juncture.
We thank the National Electoral Commission (NEC), the government of Somaliland but most of all the people of Somaliland, for allowing us to be part of your history in making.
A detailed report of our observations will be made available to the NEC as well as the various institutions supporting this delegation, once we have collated all the data.
In conclusion, we wish the people of Somaliland the very best for their future and we are assured that they will build on their stability and democracy.
DETAILS OF THE OBSERVER TEAM:
Regarding voting day we note the following:
The ten observers were deployed in the following regions:
- Hargeisa City
- Hargeisa Region
- Awdal
- Saaxil
- Togdheer
They managed to observe voting in a minimum of fifteen polling stations per region and each team consisted of two observers attending the opening, closing and counting in one polling station per region. In addition, a team member was deployed to Erigavo together with a member of the Inter-Africa observer group.
Overall the team found the voting process was peaceful, orderly and transparent. Technical difficulties were experienced by some polling stations visited but generally polling stations opened on time and voting got underway as planned. Voters were enthusiastic and came out in large numbers to cast their ballots, especially women. The counting of ballot papers was rigorously transparent.
Shannon Field: SAEOM Mission Leader
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