Somalilanders speak

Lessons from the November 2012 local elections

The November 2012 local elections were a key test of Somaliland’s democratic development. Watched keenly by the international community, the elections were largely peaceful with an increased space provided for non-state actors to observe and review electoral procedures. The elections marked an important step forward, with more than 800,000 voters casting their ballots, watched by hundreds of domestic election observers.This report provides a synthesis and analysis of civil society organisations’ observations, as well as highlighting the ways in which electoral procedures can be improved. The report provides key findings and recommendations for actors ranging from the government to CSOs to the media, with the intention that lessons can be learned to further improve the democratisation of Somaliland.