SOMALIA PUNTLAND FIRST DIRECT ELECTION

Polling stations have opened for municipal elections in three districts in the Somalia regional state of Puntland. The elections are being held in Qardho, Eyle and Ufeyn districts, with 37,578 registered voters casting their ballot.

Tens of thousands of voters are electing their local leaders in Somalia Puntland in the first direct election in the region in more than half a century. Residents in Qardho, Eyl and Ufeyn districts are voting for local councillors competed by 8 political parties.

Commendable first step in popular elections in Somalia. Electorates in Puntland are voting for their local representatives in the 3 districts of Eyl, Ufeyn and Qardho.

Citizens today voting in first direct municipal vote ever. It covers 3 districts but still marks a milestone.

Not parties , just associations at this stage . Only the top three associations in the local government elections are supposed to be recognized as parties.

The polling stations in Qardho, Ufeyn and Eyl districts opened at 6:00AM local time as voters queued up at polling centres before the dawn. Eight political associations are competing to 87 municipal seats.

Reports comes in that Rahanweyn people in Puntland are participating in the elections. In the Democratic Somaliland they were forcefully deported regardless how long they have lived in the northern cities.

First time in 54 yrs, people went to the polls. Everyone greets you with a joy and a smile. It is a proud moment and huge development for Somalia.

The Electoral Commission of Somalia’s Puntland State held training on voter education for the people with disabilities in Qardho district, to encourage them to vote and exercise their constitutional rights, ahead of Monday’s municipal elections in the region.

The Puntland State of Somalia First voting pilot project Democratic Election started today three districts Ely, Qardho and ufeyn.

Elections in the three districts of Qardho, Eyl and Ufeyn are contested by 8 political parties, with 54 polling stations, 37,578 ballot papers, 449 candidates and candidates, and 87 districts are scheduled to be elected.

Qardho: 33 seats, Eyl 27 seats and Ufeyn: 27 seats.

Security has been tightened in the districts where the elections will take place, and the Electoral Commission has ordered that telephones be excluded from voters, and traffic has been suspended.