AFRICAN ELECTIONS DATABASE
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Elections in Somaliland
 
Political Profile
Political System: Emerging Democracy [Not Internationally Recognized]
President: Ahmed Mohamed Mohamud Silanyo (KULMIYE) [Since 27 July 2010; elected 2010]. 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.
Electoral Authority: National Electoral Commission 
Political Situation since "Independence"
1991-2003 Transitional Government
2003-        Emerging Democracy
2012 Freedom House Rating: Political Rights - 4, Civil Liberties - 5, Status: Partly Free
Next Scheduled Presidential Election: 2015
Next Scheduled House of Representatives Election: 2012
 
Election Results
 
 
Presidential
--Non Partisan: 1997 (Indirect)
--Multiparty: 2003, 2010
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    2  (0.6%)
*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 97.10%
"No" Votes 34,302 2.90%
 
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
Peace, Unity, and Development Party (KULMIYE) 228,328 34.06% 28
Justice and Welfare Party (UCID) 180,545 26.93% 21
 
26 June 2010 Presidential Election [Results by Region & District]

Registered Voters

1,069,914

Total Votes (Voter Turnout)

Not Available (N/A)

Invalid/Blank Votes

Not Available

Total Valid Votes

   538,246

Candidate (Party) Number of Votes % of Votes
Ahmed Mohamed Mohamud Silanyo (KULMIYE) 266,906 49.59%
Dahir Riyale Kahin (UDUB) 178,881 33.23%
Faysal Ali Warabe (UCID) 92,459 17.18%