Editorial - Wed, Jan 14, 2009
There is no denial that the voter registration in Somaliland is a success story. With the limited financial aid and human resources plus the lack of international recognition, Somaliland still managed to go through the whole process and finally succeeded in getting its people registered for the coming elections in the first part of this New Year.
It was not an easy job, as this was the first time it happened in the history of Somaliland. The lack of experience from the officials and the registration workers plus the lack of information/experience among the population meant that there was a great possibility that things may go wrong. Yet, the process was successful with, according to the observers, minimal mistakes and incidents. Sadly, four people died and one vehicle was hijacked by a militia from the autonomous State Of Puntland during the process. Two of those who died were Somaliland military officers ambushed in the village of Widhwidh in Sool region.
Now as the first phase of the process comes to an end the question will be what is next?
We believe the Somaliland society showed their patriotism and will exercise the same for the coming elections in few months time.
The National Electoral Commission (NEC) should this time be ready for the more challenging task that is the election itself. The parties will do their all to fight a real contest for the votes and the (eventual) winner would not have had an easy way to gain victory over the others. This election will place a great deal of pressure on the NEC. Its members will have to be united and strong.
The government should make sure that all the preparations are made in order to ensure that security is tight and the voting is free and fair. The ruling party should surrender the seat if it loses the election, which will ensure the continuation of what Somaliland started in 1991 (i.e. good governance, acceptance of the rule of law and the avoidance of internal quarrels).
The opposition parties should help the NEC perform their duties and also assist the government for its national responsibilities. They should be able to accept if defeated in the elections and prepare for the next one.
The international community should take a more responsible position towards Somaliland as those elections will be marked in the history of Africa as a whole and not just Somaliland. The country is isolated from the rest of the world and without recognition it could easily fall into the hands of the terror groups and warlords that destroyed the very neighboring country of Somalia. To prevent such chaos Somaliland should be able to have access to the international funding agencies such as World Bank, IMF and others so that it will continue building a stronger democratic society.
Source: SomalilandPress




 

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