Polls Open in Somaliland’s Local and Parliamentary Elections

WASHINGTON/HARGEISA - Polling stations have opened in the self-proclaimed republic of Somaliland as voters go to the polls to elect their parliamentary and local representatives.  H.E. former President of Sierra Leone Ernest Bai Koroma on election preparedness tour in Hargeisa today. #Somalilandelection2021 #Somalilandis30years pic.twitter.com/jyK6w0NHaI

Long queues were reported in the early hours of Monday in the capital Hargeisa. Some of the voters have been queuing up to two hours prior to the opening of polling stations at 7:00 a.m. local time.  The President of Somaliland Muse Bihi Abdi told VOA Somali that the election should be conducted in a peaceful manner. “If one has a dispute when the election passes, the argument should be calm and civil,” he said. “You should not undermine the interest of the nation. Complain peacefully, the court is open.”