This report summarizes the recently completed pre-election conducted by CDG during the month of May, 2021. The main objectives of the assessment were to assess the pre-conditions for a free and fair credible local and parliamentary election process, to engage in dialogue with key stakeholders on the process – the NEC, the EU, political parties, civil society – as part of an assessment of progress towards the elections, to assess women’s likely participation in the electoral and democratic process and the possibility of establishing a baseline to measure changing participation rates in successive campaigns and elections, to assess capacity building already being undertaken with local civil society organizations/NGOs/ umbrella groups in order for them to observe the elections, including public awareness and voter education programs, Assess the voters’ registration process and how it would affect the electoral and democratization processes, to assess opportunities for CDG in association with others such as International and domestic observers, if funds permit, to assess the current media situation and freedom of speech and to assess security situation in the areas where there is likelihood of security tension such as the Somaliland border areas and to raise issues in order to contribute to peacebuilding and democratic change, especially in the light of the heightened sense of Democracy in Somaliland.
The survey was be carried out from the geographical areas of Marodi Jeex, Saxil, Awdal, Togdheer and Sool regions. The actual target locations visited was Hargeisa, Berbera, Borama, Laasanod and Burao. The survey used a mixed-methods, and consist of the qualitative data collection method, quantitative data collection method and desk review of the secondary data which was already available.
The key findings are discussed in detail beginning with the demographics, political environment, voter registration, voter expectation, security, NEC, gender aspect, social media, political parties and the tensions in the border areas. This is followed by conclusions and recommendations.