UCL’s latest international election observation mission to Somaliland launches final report

The UCL International Election Observation Mission to Somaliland’s elections on 13 November 2024 has published its final report, with a launch event on 19 March 2025. A recording of which is available to view below, as well as a translated version of the executive summary and recommendations available in Somali. The IEOM, comprising 28 observers from 13 countries, was invited by Somaliland’s National Electoral Commission to provide an impartial and independent assessment of the electoral process. 

The mission observed the elections across Somaliland’s six regions, with over 638,000 Somalilanders going to the polls to elect a new president and the three political parties who will compete in elections over the next ten years. The electoral process concluded with a well-managed and peaceful election day, in which the main opposition party’s candidate won the Presidency and a new political party was elected alongside two established players. All candidates and parties accepted the result.

The elections highlighted a number of areas where Somaliland’s electoral process falls short in comparison to international democratic standards. In the report, the IEOM makes 26 recommendations with a view to further enhance the conduct of elections in Somaliland and to support efforts to bring them fully in line with international obligations and standards for democratic elections. The 2024 mission follows a tradition of UCL involvement in election observation in Somaliland that stretches back to 2005.

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Links

Observation Mission Report on Somaliland’s Presidential and Political Party Elections [English]

IEOM 2024 translated executive summary and recommendations [Somali]

IEOM 2024 press release [English]

IEOM 2024 press release [Somali]

Image

Credit Tim Cole - Inside polling station, Hargeisa, 13 November 2024