
Profile Details
Overview:
Background
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The National Electoral Commission
(NEC) of Somaliland plays a critical role in consolidating democratic
governance, evidenced by its successful management of the 2024 presidential and
political party elections. The NEC's achievements— including the registration
of voters, the training of over 12,500 staff, and extensive stakeholder
engagement—culminated in a peaceful election process significantly enhanced by
the implementation of biometric voter verification. This successful deployment
demonstrated the NEC's clear commitment to modernizing its operations and
promoting inclusivity within the electoral process. However, a closer
examination reveals that this success masks underlying challenges requiring
urgent attention.
While the 2024 elections showcased
progress, persistent operational weaknesses highlight the need for substantial
improvements to ensure the long-term sustainability and effectiveness of
Somaliland's electoral system. Logistical complexities, technical delays, and
gaps in the existing legal framework all presented significant hurdles,
impacting the efficiency and transparency of the electoral process. These
challenges, if left unaddressed, risk undermining public confidence in the
integrity of future elections and hindering the consolidation of democratic
institutions. Therefore, a proactive and comprehensive review of the NEC's
institutional procedures is crucial. To this end, the Netherlands Institute for
Multiparty Democracy (NIMD) and the NEC seek a qualified international firm to
conduct a thorough assessment and identify areas requiring modernization. This
review will focus on critical operational areas, including human resource
management, financial management, communication strategies, security protocols,
and election operations, aiming to develop robust, effective, and sustainable
procedures to support free, fair, and credible elections in Somaliland.
Identifying and rectifying these systemic weaknesses are vital for
strengthening Somaliland's democracy and ensuring its long-term stability.
Information:
Background
Â
The National Electoral Commission (NEC) of Somaliland plays a critical role in consolidating democratic governance, evidenced by its successful management of the 2024 presidential and political party elections. The NEC's achievements— including the registration of voters, the training of over 12,500 staff, and extensive stakeholder engagement—culminated in a peaceful election process significantly enhanced by the implementation of biometric voter verification. This successful deployment demonstrated the NEC's clear commitment to modernizing its operations and promoting inclusivity within the electoral process. However, a closer examination reveals that this success masks underlying challenges requiring urgent attention.
While the 2024 elections showcased progress, persistent operational weaknesses highlight the need for substantial improvements to ensure the long-term sustainability and effectiveness of Somaliland's electoral system. Logistical complexities, technical delays, and gaps in the existing legal framework all presented significant hurdles, impacting the efficiency and transparency of the electoral process. These challenges, if left unaddressed, risk undermining public confidence in the integrity of future elections and hindering the consolidation of democratic institutions. Therefore, a proactive and comprehensive review of the NEC's institutional procedures is crucial. To this end, the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy (NIMD) and the NEC seek a qualified international firm to conduct a thorough assessment and identify areas requiring modernization. This review will focus on critical operational areas, including human resource management, financial management, communication strategies, security protocols, and election operations, aiming to develop robust, effective, and sustainable procedures to support free, fair, and credible elections in Somaliland. Identifying and rectifying these systemic weaknesses are vital for strengthening Somaliland's democracy and ensuring its long-term stability.