Somaliland Parliament Rejects Bill to increase Electoral Commission

By: Jama Farah, Horndiplomat political editor

Horndiplomat-Somaliland House of Representatives rejected a bipartisan motion tabled to approve an agreement reached by the political parties over the composition of the NEC.

The agreement was signed by the three parties in Somaliland and was submitted to the house of representatives to approve or reject.

The speaker of the house of representative Bashe Mohamed Farah said the motion contravenes House rules and the house entered 45 days of recess.

On the other hand, Somaliland’s opposition parties have opposed parliament rejection and accused the government and ruling party of being behind the rejection.

On July 28, The three national political parties of Somaliland reached a landmark accord that brings the year-long differences among the parties to an end. Under the EU and UK mediation.

The deal proposes an increase of the number of Electoral Commissioners to 9 from their current 7, and that the new Commissioners be sworn not later than 15 October 2019 if parliament passes the motion to amend the clause limiting NEC composition which should be concluded before 1 September 2019.

source:- Horn Diplomat