AFRICAN ELECTIONS DATABASE
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Elections in Somaliland
 
Political Profile
Political System: Democracy [Not Internationally Recognized]
President: Dahir Riyale Kahin (UDUB) [Since 03 May 2002; elected 2003]. The President is elected by direct popular vote for a 5-year term. Electoral System: First Past The Post.
Parliament [bicameral]
--House of Elders (82 Seats) A largely advisory body consisting of traditional leaders; members serve 6-year terms;
--House of Representatives (82 Seats) Members elected by direct popular vote using the party-list proportional representation system; members serve 5-year terms.
Political Situation since "Independence"
1991-2003 Transitional Government
2003-2005 Emerging Democracy
2005-        Democracy
2007 Freedom House Rating: Political Rights - 5, Civil Liberties - 4, Status: Partly Free
Next Scheduled Presidential Election: 31 August 2008
Next Scheduled House of Representatives Election: 2010
 
Election Results
 
 
Presidential
--Non Partisan: 1997 (Indirect)
--Multiparty: 2003
Legislative
--Multiparty: 2005
Constitutional Referendum: 2001
Local: 2002
 
 
Note: Somaliland’s first president, Abdirahman Ali Tur, was elected president by clan elders soon after the region declared its independence from the rest of Somalia in mid-1991. He held that position until 16 May 1993, when clan elders elected Mohamed Ibrahim Egal president for a two-year term. In May 1995, Egal’s term was extended for another 18 months. New elections were held on 23 February 1997.
 
23 February 1997 Presidential Election* (Chosen by members of the National Communities Conference, which acted as an electoral college)

Total Votes

 Not Available

Abstentions/Invalid Votes

Not Available

Total Valid Votes

 315

Candidate

Number of Votes

Mohamed Ibrahim Egal

223 (70.8%)

Suleiman Gaal

 90 (28.6%)

Mohamed Hashi

 02 (00.6%)

*Mohamed Ibrahim Egal died on 3 May 2002. Vice-president Dahir Riyale Kahin completed his term until new elections were held in April 2003.
 
31 May 2001 Constitutional Referendum
Main Points: Declaration of Independence

Registered Voters

 1,188,746

Total Votes (Voter Turnout)

1,187,833 (99.9%)

Invalid/Blank Votes

       4,591

Total Valid Votes

 1,183,242

Results

Number of Votes

% of Votes

"Yes" Votes

1,148,940

97.1%

"No" Votes

34,302

02.9%

 
14 April 2003 Presidential Election [Results by Region]

Registered Voters

 Not Available

Total Votes (Voter Turnout)

498,639 (N/A)

Invalid/Blank Votes

  10,096

Total Valid Votes

 488,543

Candidate (Party)

Number of Votes

% of Votes

Dahir Riyale Kahin (UDUB)

205,595

42.08%

Ahmed Mohamed Mohamud Silanyo (KULMIYE)

205,515

42.07%

Faysal Ali Warabe (UCID)

77,433

15.85%

 
29 September 2005 House of Representatives Election [Results by Region]

Registered Voters

800,000 (approx.)

Total Votes (Voter Turnout)

Not Available (N/A)

Invalid/Blank Votes

Not Available

Total Valid Votes

670,322

Party

Number of Votes

% of Votes

Number of Seats (82)

Unity of Democrats Party (UDUB)

261,449

39.00%

33

Solidarity (KULMIYE)

228,328

34.06%

28

Justice and Welfare Party (UCID)

180,545

26.93%

21