HARGEISA (SD) -The Somaliland Electoral Commission has finally issued certificates of candidacy to the presidential candidates as preparations peak for the upcoming combined elections scheduled for November 13, 2024.

The candidates include the embattled President of Somaliland, Muse Bihi Abdi from the Kulmiye party, Abdirahman Mohamed Abdullahi Cirro from the Waddani party, and Faysal Ali Warabe from the UCID party. They received their candidacy certificates at the commission’s headquarters this morning.

Additionally, the three main parties—Kulmiye, Waddani, and UCID—along with seven political associations have been approved to participate in the upcoming association elections, which will coincide with the presidential elections.

The campaign for these simultaneous elections will commence in October. The presidential candidates from the three official parties will compete for the presidency, while the leaders of the associations will seek to become the three new official parties.

Campaign activities are already in full swing, with parties and associations working hard to attract voters and influential politicians. The media frequently showcases communities and politicians joining various parties and associations.

Following a political dispute with the presidency that delayed the elections by two years, some of Somaliland’s elders have brokered the current electoral regulations. The parliament has also passed legislation to ensure the elections proceed smoothly.