Hornpost
Hargeisa (Horn post) The National Electoral Commission (NEC) of the Republic of Somaliland, with the objective of ensuring that elections are conducted on time and in full compliance with the law, has decided—following extensive national consultations and technical assessments—to reopen the voter registration process through an update of the existing voter database. This decision is grounded in the provisions of the electoral laws, the recommendations of technical experts, and the participation of the national political parties, with the aim of promoting transparency, broad participation, and public confidence in the electoral process.
Read the Press release here
“National Electoral Commission Republic of Somaliland.
National Electoral Commission
Date: 24th December 2025
Press Release-
PRESS STATEMENT
Decision of the National Electoral Commission (NEC) of Republic of Somaliland
The National Electoral Commission (NEC), in its commitment to ensuring that elections are conducted on time and in accordance with the law, shared in May 2025 three (3) voter registration options with the Government and the three National Political Parties. These options were accompanied by technical assessment reports prepared by international companies regarding the national voter registration process and existing data.
In line with its mandate of transparency and national consultation, the Commission submitted the three registration models—which were previously implemented in Somaliland in 2016, 2021, and 2023—to the three National Parties for deliberation and consensus-building.
Between June and December 2025, the Government and the three National Political Parties held extensive consultations over a period of seven months to reach a unified national position. During this time, the National Electoral Commission convened and participated in multiple meetings with all stakeholders, with the objective of narrowing differences and achieving consensus on the voter registration process.
Following these consultations, the three National Political Parties independently submitted their recommendations to the National Electoral Commission. These submissions reflected differing views.
Pursuant to Articles 17, 46, and 47 of the General Law on National Elections and Voter Registration, Law No. 91/2023, and after careful consideration of the proposals and perspectives of the three National Political Parties, the National Electoral Commission hereby issues the following decision.
Decision:
Having reviewed Article 47, Paragraph 4 of the General Law on National Elections and Voter Registration, Law No. 91/2023, which states:
“The voter register shall be reopened before each election. The Commission shall determine the procedure and method for the reopening.”
The National Electoral Commission of the Republic of Somaliland hereby decides, on 24 December 2025, that the voter registration process shall proceed as follows:
The existing voter registration database shall be utilized through a re-registration (update) process.
The reopening of voter registration shall be conducted in accordance with the law and shall include:
Registration of all citizens who have reached voting age or who were not previously registered.
Issuance of replacement voter cards to individuals who have lost their cards.
Facilitation of changes to polling stations for voters who wish to update their voting locations.
The registration reopening shall be carried out at 500 registration centers across the regions and districts of the country.
Corrections should be made to the existing voter registration data in line with the technical recommendations provided by experts who conducted an independent review of the database.
The correction and registration process shall be conducted in a transparent manner, with the participation of the three National Political Parties.
By the end of January 2026, the National Electoral Commission shall conduct a nationwide assessment and issue an official timetable for the commencement of voter registration and the holding of elections, in accordance with the laws of the country.
National Electoral Commission
Republic of Somaliland
Thanks be to God”
Statement in Somali
Hornpost staff Reporter
