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Somaliland Votes Saturday

   Peter Clottey 24 June 2010

Photo: ASSOCIATED PRESS

   A  Somali  policewoman  stands  in  front  of supporters of opposition
   Somaliland  Solidarity  Party,  (also  called Kulmiye Party), during a
   rally  in  Hargeisa,  Somalia,  Freedom  Park  Tuesday, June 22, 2010.
   Somali   elections   take   place  on  Saturday  June  26,  2010.  (AP
   Photo/Barkhad Dahir)

   The  foreign  minister of Somaliland says the country has a good track
   record  of organizing credible successive elections devoid of violence
   and voter irregularities that meet international standards.

   Abdullahi  Mohammed DuâAle said the electoral commission has concluded
   preparations ahead of Saturdayâs vote.

   âThe nation is very excited (and) the campaign(s) have been very civil
   and  we  have  demonstrated  that  we  are a state that can handle and
   demonstrate  what  democracy  is⦠ and we are hoping that all will go
   very  well  on  June  the  26^th and we are looking forward to it,â he
   said.

   Official  campaigning  ended  Wednesday  ahead  of  the election which
   begins  June  26^th  across  the  country.  The  vote  coincides  with
   Somalilandâs independence from colonial power Britain in 1960.

   Foreign minister DuâAle said the elections will be credible.

   âWe  have  demonstrated  that we are a credible state and that we have
   what   it   takes.  We  are  a  state  that  has  relations  with  the
   international  community and with the (Horn of Africa) region. And, we
   have put forth credible elections which have been characterized by the
   international community and the international press as free and fair,â
   DuâAle said.

   Several  international poll observer groups have reportedly arrived to
   monitor the elections.

   Opposition  groups  have accused the ruling party of not granting them
   equal  access to the state-controlled media, which, they said hampered
   their campaign â a charge the government denies.

   Meanwhile,   Somaliaâs   hard-line   insurgent  group,  al-Shabab  has
   threatened  to  violently  disrupt  the  elections  after  saying that
   Somalilandâs  democratic  efforts  are  fundamentally  opposed  to the
   teachings of Islam.

   But foreign minister DuâAle said the government will not allow what he
   called  disruptive terrorists to hold hostage the people of Somaliland
   who he said have the right to choose their leaders in an election.

   âThis  is sheer hogwash as far as we are concerned (because) this is a
   nation that works under the rule of law. Our constitution, accordingly
   is  compatible  and  the  basics  of it rely on Islamic values and the
   Islamic  cultureâ¦We  have  demonstrated that it is very difficult for
   these elements to operate in Somaliland,â DuâAle said.

   Partly  sponsored  by  the United States, the European Union and other
   international  organizations,  Saturdayâs vote is expected to be hotly
   contested  between  President  Daahir  Riyaale  Kaahinâs ruling United
   Peoples   Democratic  Party  (UDUB),  and  the  two  major  opposition
   including  Party  for  Justice  and  Development (UCID) as well as the
   Unity and Development Party (Kulmiye) party.

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