The National Electoral Commission (NEC) of Somaliland, under the leadership of Chair Musa Hassan Yusuf, has reaffirmed its commitment to holding the parliamentary and civic elections as scheduled in May 2026.
This assurance follows a meeting with Somaliland President Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi Irro, who emphasized the importance of adhering to the election timeline without any delays or postponements.
The President has consistently pledged to ensure that elections are held on time, a promise he reiterated during his campaign.
Election Preparation
The NEC is actively preparing for voter registration and addressing issues encountered in previous elections to ensure a smoother process. Lessons learned from past elections will be applied to minimize loopholes and improve efficiency.
Funding
Approximately 70% of the election costs are covered by the Somaliland government, with the remaining 30% funded by international donors. This funding model has been consistent in past elections.
Donor Engagement
The NEC recently visited Kenya to meet with international donors, including representatives from the US, EU, Sweden, and the UK. These discussions focused on addressing challenges, such as voter registration, and securing additional support for the upcoming elections.
Learning from Kenya
The NEC also engaged with Kenya’s Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to gain insights into successful voter registration processes and other electoral best practices.
Constitutional Priority
The NEC emphasized that holding elections on time is a constitutional responsibility and a top priority for the President. The commission has already begun preparations to ensure the elections proceed as planned.
NEC’s proactive approach, combined with the government’s commitment and international support, aims to build trust and ensure the successful conduct of the 2026 elections.
This is particularly important given past concerns from donors about delays and their impact on the credibility of the electoral process.