The self-proclaimed state of Somaliland will vote for a new president on Monday, hoping to continue a series of democratic transitions of power that sets it apart from its troubled neighbour Somalia.
The northern territory, which is more tribally homogenous and stable than the rest of Somalia, broke away in 1991 and has been striving to attain international recognition ever since.
Three candidates are running for the state’s top office, seasoned politicians Muse Bihi of the ruling Kulmiye party and opposition candidates Abdirahman Iro and Faysal Ali Warabe, who was defeated in previous elections in 2010.elections are meant to be held every five years, however the poll was delayed for two years due to drought and other technical issues.
Incumbent Ahmed Mohamud Silaanyo is not seeking re-election.
Campaigning wrapped up on Friday after weeks of rallies around the region for Somaliland’s third democratic election.
The vote is set to be the most sophisticated yet with some 700,000 voters registered using biometric eye scanners which will identify them before they cast their ballots.
The sophisticated equipment which was used to register voters reads the eye of the individual, and it’s the first time such equipment is used in elections,” said Said Ali Muse, spokesman for the national electoral commission.