Some Thoughts on the First Democratic Elections in Puntland State of Somalia

[Deeq A.]

A granny casting her vote in one polling station in Puntland.

Another morning with very high hopes has risen in Puntland as people lined up to cast their votes to be able to elect their local governments.  Excitement at the democratic progress was brewing in every corner of polling stations. Many voters woke up early to fulfil their duty towards the democratization process in Puntland State of Somalia.
 
More than five decades ago people in this part of the Federal Republic of Somalia went to the polling stations in the last national direct elections, before a military junta had overthrown the civilian government in 1969. People have waited for a long time to witness the transformation of Puntland political system from one based on handful of elders and politicians to one based on people’s democratic rights expressed through the ballot box. President Abdirahman Farole’s 2013 attempt to transform the political system is noteworthy, not as a failure but as the first foundation stone of a gradual democratization process.

Voters line up to vote in the first direct elections in Puntland State of Somalia.

The incumbent Puntland government’s commitment to this process has paved the way for the historic elections that took place on the 5th of October 2021.
 President Said Abdullahi Deni is commendable for entrusting the task of overseeing elections with the Transitional Puntland Electoral Commission (TPEC), under the leadership of its Chairman, Guled Salah, who through months of research, and training, and coordination with political associations, had chalked up a remarkable achievement.

Members of TPEC in a planning meeting before elections.

TPEC took the challenges of the process by the horns and tackled unforeseen complications in a consultative manner. The timeframe for bringing he democratization process to fruition initially seemed to be obstacle, but the spirit of stakeholders’ compromise facilitated the march towards the historic elections.

Guled Salah, TPEC Chairman, with a ballot box.

Democracy is premised on several fundamental principles such as political equality and liberty to enable citizens to exercise their right to elect  leaders.  It was encouraging to see citizens – elders, men and women – voting peacefully, raising the hope that one person, one vote poll can take place in Somalia in the future.

A man with a disability ready to cast his vote in Garowe.

The election concluded peacefully, with both international and local observers at polling stations. I am glad to have witnessed international observers positively commenting on how elections were conducted.

Voters observing Covid-19 rules before voting in Puntland.

The process of democratization has started to ensure that the 47 remaining districts and cities will go to the polls. There is a need to commit more resources to training to prevent the high rate of wasted votes relative to the total number of votes.

District Commissioners and local governments of Eyl, Ufayn and Qardho are the unsung heroes of the first direct elections in Puntland. I take my hat off to them.

By Abdirahman Abuuraas

abuuraas13@gmail.com

Twitter: @abuuraas131

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