Somaliland: The National Election Commission Must Resign.

[Deeq A.]

Somaliland: The National Election Commission Must Resign.

This morning, the Somaliland National Elections Commission (NEC) held a press conference to confirm what has been suspected for the last few weeks and months, that there will be no House of Representative nor Local Council elections in Somaliland.

These elections were scheduled for March, 2019. The NEC cited lack of funds and the withdrawal of support from Somaliland’s main opposition party, Waddani.

The question on everyone’s mind is, what where the NEC doing for the last 12 months? Where they just sitting in their offices drinking coffee and chatting with friends? Were they even in the country? Surely, it makes sense to prepare for any forthcoming elections. This is totally unacceptable.

The NEC have found a scapegoat in the redundant House of Representatives, whose mandate expired a decade ago, for failing to pass new election laws. That is a poor excuse.

Somalilanders are well aware of the shortcomings of the current House of Representative, it is den of idleness. These “representatives” have made a career of their seats. They are there to get their salaries. It is time to turf them out.

The NEC should use the current statutes in the constitution and hold the elections. As for the issue of funding, where has all the funding from the international community gone? We can guess where it went, but they had over a year to apply for more funding.

With regard to the Waddani issue, why would the opposition have any faith in a thoroughly discredited commission?.

RESIGN.

It is time to appoint a new commission, with new energy and purpose. These elections have to be held for the sake of the nation. We cannot go backwards.

Qaran News