Elections and selection processes
Somaliland National Electoral Commission
The National Electoral Commission (NEC), in Somali Komishanka Doorashooyinka Qaranka, runs Somaliland's presidential, parliamentary and local elections, registers voters and announces interim results. It has seven members: three nominated by the President, two by the House of Elders and two by the opposition parties, all confirmed by the House of Representatives for a five-year term. Its rules are now in Chapter 2 of Law No. 19/2020. Muse Hassan Yusuf has chaired it since 17 September 2022.
What does the commission do?
The National Electoral Commission (NEC), in Somali Komishanka Doorashooyinka Qaranka, organises Somaliland's presidential, parliamentary and local council elections and referendums (Wikipedia, National Electoral Commission (Somaliland)). It registers voters, runs the polls and announces interim results, which the courts then certify (Somaliland NEC, 2024 interim results). Its headquarters are in Hargeisa. For the results of each election, see Elections in Somaliland.
How are its members chosen?
The commission has seven members. Under Article 11(2) of the 2001 Election Law (Somalilandlaw.com, Electoral Commission):
- three are nominated by the President;
- two are nominated by the House of Elders (Guurti); and
- two are nominated by the registered opposition parties.
The House of Representatives confirms each nominee. The term is five years, counted from the day the House approves the appointment (same source).
Since October 2020 the commission's rules have been in Chapter 2, Articles 12 to 26, of the Elections and Voter Registration Law, Law No. 19/2020 (same source). See Somaliland's election laws.
Each commission since 2002
From Somalilandlaw.com (Electoral Commission page):
- First commission (2002 to 2007): ran the local elections of December 2002, the presidential election of 2003 and the House of Representatives election of 2005. Its term ended on 21 January 2007, and no new commission was sworn in until September 2007. A Constitutional Court ruling on the appointments was given in May 2007.
- Second commission (2007 to 2009): five members were confirmed on 2 June 2007 and the last two on 3 September 2007. All members resigned on 5 October 2009.
- Third commission (2009 to 2014): confirmed on 24 October 2009 by 65 votes, with none against. It chose Essa Yusuf Mohamed as chair and Ali-Khadar Hassan Osman as deputy.
- Fourth commission (2014 to 2019): confirmed on 29 November 2014 by 69 votes, with none against.
- Commission from 2019: chaired by Abdirashid Mohamoud Ali (Riyo-raac), with Mustafe Mohamed Dahir (Dhawal) as vice chair.
Chairpersons
| No. | Chair | Period |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Abdillahi Abdi Haji Omar (Jawaan) | March to September 2002 |
| 2 | Ahmed Haji Ali Adami | October 2002 to February 2007 |
| 3 | Mohamed Yusuf Ahmed | September 2007 to March 2008 |
| 4 | Mohamed Ismail Mohamed (Kaba-weyne) | 22 March 2008 to December 2008 |
| 5 | Jama Mahmoud Omar (Jama-Sweden) | January to September 2009 |
| 6 | Isse Yusuf Haji Mohamed (Isse Hamari) | 2 November 2009 to 20 April 2014 |
| 7 | Mohamed Ahmed Hirsi Geelle | 22 April 2014 to November 2014 |
| 8 | Abdikadir Iman Warsame | 24 November 2014 to 30 November 2019 |
| 9 | Abdirashid Mahmoud Ali (Riyo-Raac) | December 2019 to June 2022 |
| 10 | Muse Hassan Yusuf | 17 September 2022 to present |
Source: Wikipedia, National Electoral Commission (Somaliland).
Recent work
The commission ran the joint presidential and party election of 13 November 2024 and published the interim results (Somaliland NEC). In February 2026 it proposed a ten-month delay to the parliamentary and local elections due on 31 May 2026, citing drought, insecurity and technical problems (Dawan).
Related pages
Sources
- Wikipedia, National Electoral Commission (Somaliland) · en.wikipedia.org
- Somaliland NEC, 2024 interim results · slnec.net
- Somalilandlaw.com, Electoral Commission · somalilandlaw.com
- Dawan · dawan.africa
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