Somaliland knows how to conduct free, fair and credible elections than Kenya, British MP states

[Deeq A.]

The country became the first country in Africa and the first in the world to use the iris recognition-based biometric voting system

IEBC Chairman, Wafula Chebukati announcing the Presidential results. (the star)

 

Kenya could learn a few lessons about how to conduct a free, fair and credible elections from Somalia.

Elections in Somalia were way better and more credible than Kenya’s elections, according to a British Member of Parliament.

Richmond Park MP, Zac Goldsmith has described the Kenya’s election standoff as “total chaos” and suggested that the recent elections in Somaliland, a former British protectorate, were better than Kenyan ones by far.

“With recent events in Zimbabwe and total electoral chaos now in Kenya, will the prime minister join me in celebrating the hugely successful election this week in Somaliland?” he said.

Richmond Park MP, Zac Goldsmith. (newstatesman.)

 

The Self Proclaimed state of Somaliland went to the polls on Monday to vote for their fifth president in a process declared as peaceful and credible by election monitors.

Despite its challenges, the country became the first country in Africa and the first in the world to use the iris recognition-based biometric voting system which eliminated the problem of double voting.

“… with direct help from this country, from our government, the national election commission in that country has conducted a template election described by the international observer mission as peaceful, transparent, fair and totally uncontested.’’ Mr. Goldsmith said.

Somaliland 

 

Despite holding regular elections, Kenya’s election has been dogged with malpractices, violence and rigging accusations in almost every election it has held since 1992.

The Supreme Court even nullified the Presidential Elections held on August citing irregularities and illegalities and the repeat one held in October has been challenged as well.

Speaking at the House of Parliament on Wednesday during the prime minister’s question time, the conservative MP asked Prime Minister Theresa May to join him in congratulating Somalilandfor holding a “free, fair and credible election” in a politically volatile region.

British Prime Minister Theresa May (KTRS)

 

The Prime Minister however dodged the thorny Kenyan election issue in her response and instead hailed the efforts her government had taken to ensure stability in Somaliland.

“My honourable friend raises an important issue. This government is pleased with the work that we have done to support the government in Somalia to ensure that we can see those elections take place in the way that my honourable friend has said’’ she said.

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