Hornpost
Opposition KAAH Accuses Ministers of Pressuring NEC Over Voter Registration Process.
Hargeisa, Somaliland (Horn post) The opposition KAAH Party has called on the National Electoral Commission (NEC) to conduct a new, nationwide voter registration, announcing that it has suspended its cooperation with the commission until such a process is implemented.
Speaking at a press briefing in Hargeisa, KAAH Deputy Chairman Abdilahi Ibrahim Habane said the party’s decision to halt cooperation with the NEC will remain in effect unless a fresh voter registration starting from scratch is carried out.
The KAAH Party argues that the voter registry established in 2016 and currently in use is no longer reliable.
According to the party, accurate voter identification has become increasingly difficult after nearly a decade, as significant changes in voters’ physical features have occurred over time. KAAH maintains that a new registration process is necessary to ensure a credible and dispute-free election.
Habane further stated that a technical advisor to the National Electoral Commission had issued a written opinion indicating that it would not be feasible to proceed with another election following the 2024 polls, a claim the party says raises serious concerns about the credibility and preparedness of the electoral process.
The opposition party also questioned how the government intends to finance upcoming elections, noting that no allocation for elections was included in the state budget for 2026.
“President Cirro, where will the election funding come from? Is there a treasury hidden in Gacan Libaax Mountain, given that the government did not include election costs in the 2026 national budget?” Habane asked
In addition, the KAAH Party argued that the proposed 500 voter registration centers are insufficient to cover the entire country, warning that this could limit broad participation and undermine the fairness of the registration process.
The statements come amid growing political debate over voter registration mechanisms and Somaliland’s preparedness for future elections.
Prepared by:
Horn post Staff Reporter
