Somaliland: Voting ends in delayed parliamentary and local elections

Over 1.2 million registered voters trooped to 1,000 polling stations to cast their ballot in a much-awaited election in Somaliland on Monday. 

Led by president Muse Bihi Abdi, they streamed into polling stations to elect their members of parliament and local council representatives.

The first time a twin election is happening, leaders called for peace with hopes of recognition by the international community as a sovereign state.

The election in Somaliland having several unique features including the lower age limit of participants voters as young as 15 years are taking part in the democratic process.

Another unique thing about the Somaliland election is that on such a day the government sets aside everything else and on this day not even vehicles are allowed in the streets apart from those that have a special kind of number plate.

This according to officials is to show respect to the day and ensure a high voter turnout as no one will be tied to any other errand

Only businesses targeting voters on queue remain relevant, such as fruit vending.

Due to challenges including a famine, locust invasion and the COVID-19 pandemic Somaliland has not had a parliamentary election for 15 years while the local council has been in power for 8 years.

The five-year cycle was never stopped for the presidential election over the years.

With all polling stations closed, results are expected to start trickling in from Wednesday.