Somalia: Somaliland President announces poll date

HARGEISA, Somalia, September 10, 2015(Garowe Online)-Somaliland President Ahmed Mohamed Mohamud (Siilaanyo) has announced date for presidential and parliamentary elections after a long-running dispute between ruling Kulmiye party and opposition has come to an end, Garowe Online reports.

In a statement read out by Presidential spokesman Ahmed Saleban Dhuhul, Somaliland leader announced 28^th of March, 2017 as the date on which voters will go to polls in the northern region.

Al though Electoral Board formally sets the election date, Siilaanyo considered decision of House of Elders.

On May 11, presidential term extension led to mass protests, largely in opposition strongholds in Somaliland.

On May 28, ruling Kulmiye party and two opposition parties agreed that parliamentary and presidential elections be held in December 2016.

Forum for tradition extended Somaliland President’s term in office by 22 months.

Somaliland, located in northwestern Somalia declared its independence from the rest of the country as  de facto sovereign state in 1991 but it has not been recognized internationally yet. 

GAROWE ONLINE