2024 Somaliland presidential election explained

Country:Republic of Somaliland
Type:presidential
Ongoing:yes
Previous Election:2017 Somaliland presidential election
Previous Year:2017
Election Date:13 November 2024
Party1:Kulmiye Peace, Unity, and Development Party
Party2:Waddani
Party3:Justice and Welfare Party
President
Before Election:Muse Bihi Abdi
Before Party:Kulmiye Peace, Unity, and Development Party

Presidential elections are scheduled to be held in Somaliland on 13 November 2024,[1] the fourth direct presidential elections since 2003. On 24 September 2022 the National Electoral Commission announced that the elections, initially scheduled for 13 November 2022, had been postponed to July 2023.[2] The House of Elders voted on 1 October 2022 to postpone the elections by two years instead of the nine months previously recommended by the National Electoral Commission, effectively scheduling the election for November 2024.[3]

Electoral system

According to the constitution of Somaliland, presidential elections are to be held every 5 years.[4]

Candidates

Incumbent President Muse Bihi Abdi of Kulmiye is eligible to seek a second term in office, having first been elected in 2017. He is yet to state whether he will choose to do so.[5] The two opposition parties of Waddani and the Justice and Welfare Party are also yet to announce their respective candidates for the presidency.[6]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2024-01-08 . Somaliland’s House of Elders Approves Law for Combined Presidential and Party Elections . 2024-02-29 . Halqabsi News . en-US.
  2. News: Somaliland postpones presidential election until next year. Reuters. 25 September 2022.
  3. Web site: Somaliland Lawmakers Vote to Extend President's Term by Two Years. VOA.
  4. Web site: Somaliland Constitution. Somaliland Law.
  5. Web site: SOMALILAND : President Bihi closes ranks ahead of 2022 election. African Intelligence. 27 November 2020.
  6. Web site: The 2022 Somaliland Election. 21 March 2023. November 2021. Center for Policy Analysis.