Underage voting recorded but process largely above board- Somaliland polls observers

International observers in Somaliland presidential elections have raised concerns over electoral malpractices including underage voting but noted the exercise generally met the minimum threshold.

The observers under the UK funded electoral observation team said it documented cases of underage voting, interference by security personnel and compromise of voter secrecy in cases requiring assistance.

It however gave the process a plus in terms of opening of polling centres, voting and participation of the party agents.

“On election day, we are pleased to have observed a poll that in the main seems to have preserved the integrity of the electoral process,” chief observer Dr. Michael Walls said. “While we are aware of some key concerns, these do not seem to be substantive and systematic enough to have undermined the election itself, and we congratulate Somaliland on a largely peaceful process; another progressive step in the electoral evolution.”

The observer team noted it dispatched observers to 350 polling stations across all the six regions in Somaliland as well as the tallying process.

“Observers noted that polls opened and closed on time, in a generally calm environment, with peaceful voting, and no major violence or intimidation observed.” Eligible and domestic observers conducted their work without restrictions, the team said but noted there were occasions when observers were denied entry or asked to leave.

Meanwhile Wadani party interim chairperson Abdikadir Jirde complained Tuesday some of his party officials were arrested and injured during the electoral process. Jirde said party officials, Faadumo Sai’d Hamse and Khaire were among those arrested. District commissioners also interfered with the tallying process by making entry into the tallying centres contrary to the law, said Jirde.