Sunday February 18, 2024
Hargeisa (HOL) - Somaliland's House of Representatives unanimously approved the disputed electoral law on Sunday despite objections from several politicians.
The third deputy speaker of the House of Representatives, Ali Hamud Jibril, emphasized the law's effectiveness, stating that if the president does not enact it, the House will enforce it.
"If the president does not sign it, we will sign and make an official release," said Ali Hamud.
Lawmaker Mohamed Abiib praised the law's approval by both the Somaliland House of Representatives and the Somaliland Senate, describing it as a historic victory.
"The provision in the law requiring political organizations to obtain 20% of the votes in each region to become a recognized party was not newly created. It has existed since 2000 and was included in the 2002 and 2012 elections. What is new?" questioned MP Mohamed Abib.
Somaliland's vice president, Abdirahman Abdillahi Ismail Saylici, criticized the new law early, particularly rejecting the clause stating that organizations must obtain 20% of the total votes in each region. Instead, they advocate for organizations to win based on a 50+1 majority.