Hargeisa (SD) – Somaliland President Muse Bihi Abdi today confirmed that his government will pay some of the election expenses of women and ethnic minority candidates in the country’s upcoming local and parliamentary elections.

Deposits placed on candidates are among the barriers to participating in the country’s elections.

“According to the General Electoral and Voter Registration Act, candidates for the House of Representatives and local councils are required to pay a deposit payable to the Ministry of Finance Development. In order for the government to encourage the participation of women and ethnic minorities in elections, I have decided that the Government of the Republic of Somaliland should pay the deposit on their behalf.” said the degree.

Muse Bihi instructed the Somaliland Ministry of Finance to pay the deposit money on behalf of the candidates for the House of Representatives and local councils for women candidates and ethnic minorities.

“The Ministry of Finance Development is instructed to pay the legal fees required of the qualified candidates, submitted to you by the Chairpersons of the National Parties.” said the presidential degree.

The presidential decree also instructed the three national parties to submit lists of these candidates to the ministry of Finance.

“I would like to inform the National Parties to submit to the Ministry of Finance the details of the above candidates who have fulfilled the requirements of the law.” Said president Bihi.