Somalia: Somaliland votes for new President

HARGEISA, Somaliland - The people of Somalia's northern self-declared state of Somaliland are voting for a new president on Monday, Nov 13 in a long-awaited Presidential election, Garowe Online reports.

Some 700,000 people are registered to vote in 1,642 areas in six regions in Somaliland that opened at 6:00 a.m. local time. Voters lined up at polling stations for the state’s 5th presidential election.

The election is taking place under tight security after thousands of Somaliland soldiers have been deployed across the country to secure polling amid growing fear of post-election violence.

Polling stations will be closed at 6:00 p.m. in the evening. Last week, the State's Electoral Commision requested the Telecommunication companies to temporarily suspend the Internet for 4 days and block social media platforms during the voting.

Three candidates from the main political parties namely Muse Bihi Abdi of Kulmiye, Abdirahman Irro, the flag bearer of Waddani and Feysal Ali Warabe from UCID are vying to be the next president.

The outgoing President Ahmed Mohamed Mohamud Silaanyo who has been in power since 2010 is not seeking a second term.

Somaliland has remained unrecognized following its self-declared independence from Somalia in 1991.

GAROWE ONLINE