HARGEISA, Somaliland (Horn Post) — Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdilahi Irro has mediated a dispute between the National Electoral Commission (NEC) and opposition KAAH Party over voter registration procedures.
The mediation meeting, held on March 1, 2026, followed disagreements over an NEC decision concerning the number and distribution of voter registration centres. The dispute had prompted KAAH to suspend its cooperation with the electoral commission.
Following talks led by President Irro, the two sides agreed to restore their working relationship. They also established a process to address the technical issues behind the disagreement.
The agreement marked an effort to reduce tensions between the electoral commission and one of the country’s political parties as preparations for future elections continued.
KAAH Raises Concerns Over the Existing Voter Register
A major issue in the disagreement concerns the future of Somaliland’s voter registration system.
KAAH has called for a new biometric voter registration process. The party argues that the existing database needs a comprehensive review because the current register dates back to the 2016 registration exercise.
According to the party’s position, changes in voters’ personal details and physical characteristics over the years raise questions about the accuracy of the existing records.
KAAH has therefore advocated a fresh registration process. It says a new system would help improve voter identification, strengthen transparency and increase public confidence in future elections.
However, the question of whether Somaliland should conduct a completely new registration exercise or update the existing database remains a technical and political issue.
NEC and KAAH Agree to Restore Cooperation
During the March 1 mediation meeting, President Irro brought representatives of the NEC and KAAH together to resolve their differences.
Both sides agreed to resume formal cooperation and continue discussions through a joint technical process.
The agreement included three main measures:
- Restoration of cooperation: The NEC and KAAH agreed to resume their working relationship.
- Joint technical committee: Both sides agreed to establish a committee with representatives from the NEC and KAAH. The committee would examine the technical issues behind the dispute.
- Further consultations: The two sides agreed to hold another meeting after the Eid al-Fitr holiday to discuss and resolve the remaining issues.
The NEC and KAAH also thanked President Irro for facilitating the dialogue and helping them reach an agreement.
Voter Registration Remains a Key Electoral Issue
The debate over voter registration is important because the electoral register forms the basis for identifying eligible voters and organizing elections.
Somaliland launched a biometric voter registration exercise in January 2016. The process used iris-recognition technology to help identify voters and reduce multiple registrations. It covered the country’s six regions and concluded in September 2016.
Since then, questions about updating and maintaining the register have remained part of discussions among electoral stakeholders.
In December 2025, the NEC announced a plan to update the existing voter database rather than replace it entirely. The proposed exercise included registering eligible citizens who had not previously registered, replacing lost voter cards and allowing voters to change their polling stations.
The commission also proposed cleaning the existing database based on technical recommendations from independent experts. It said political parties would participate in the process.
These different positions have made voter registration a significant issue in discussions about Somaliland’s future electoral arrangements.
Later Agreement Between NEC and KAAH
The dialogue continued after the March mediation.
On June 9, 2026, the NEC and KAAH announced a broader agreement following several months of consultations. KAAH confirmed that it had restored cooperation with the commission.
However, KAAH chairman Mahmoud Hashi said the parties had not yet reached a framework agreement on the advanced voter registration process. He described that issue as one of the main sources of disagreement among political stakeholders.
The parties said further consultations would address the remaining questions.
Electoral Credibility and Political Dialogue
The dispute highlights the importance of political agreement on electoral procedures.
A credible voter register requires accurate records, reliable identification systems and clear procedures for updating voter information. It also requires confidence among political parties and voters.
For that reason, the technical decisions made by the NEC will remain important. The participation of political parties in the process will also be essential to building confidence in the final arrangements.
President Irro’s mediation provided a channel for dialogue between the NEC and KAAH. However, the remaining debate over voter registration shows that further consultations are still needed.
Horn Post Staff Reporter
info@hornpost.com
www.hornpost.com
Hargeisa, Somaliland
