Hargeisa(Mogadishu24)-Over one million Somaliland citizens are lining up to cast their ballots in presidential and party elections held today, November 13, across 2,637 polling stations.

The election marks a significant democratic event for the breakaway republic, with voting expected to continue through the evening and results anticipated within a week.

The main presidential candidates are incumbent President Muse Bihi Abdi of the Kulmiye Party, Waddani Party leader Abdirahman Mohamed Abdillahi (Irro), and Feysal Ali Warabe from the UCID party.

Each candidate has a unique platform, with President Muse Bihi emphasizing Somaliland’s pursuit of international recognition. Waddani’s Abdirahman Irro has rallied voters with a six-pillar manifesto centered on national security, governance, and youth and women’s empowerment, while Warabe’s platform focuses on Somaliland’s independence and unity.

The elections are being observed by international delegates, who reported robust voter turnout and well-organized polling centers. “Observing the elections this morning in the Borama region #Somaliland. Many polling centers here have multiple stations to accommodate voters, and the turnout so far appears strong. It’s inspiring to witness the democratic process in action,” said Kiprotich Peter, an observer from Kenya.

Since declaring independence in 1991, Somaliland has maintained autonomous governance but remains unrecognized internationally.