May 2023

PUNSAA established the Election Situation Room (ESR) which was designed to respond and deal with all the complaints related to elections by directing the issues to the relevant stakeholders who are part of the ESR. The ESR had a hotline where voters and citizens were submitting complaints, the number was 367. PUNSAA Chairman Abdirahman Abdirisak shared insightful election progress reports via Zoom with international representatives from supporting embassies, United Nations in Somalia and the European Union. The ESR was intended to foster transparency, collaboration, & the shared commitment to nurturing democracy in Puntland. The Chairman of PUNSAA Abdirahman provided regular briefing on the successful conduct of the election at the Election Situation Room (ESR) to representatives from the United Nations in Somalia. The election situation room served to facilitate sharing of election information among stakeholders and help deal with challenges and issues that arise during the critical election period.

Puntland Non-state Actors Association (PUNSAA) has commenced a comprehensive training program for 400 local election observers. These observers will be equipped with modern monitoring skills and techniques to ensure effective oversight of the upcoming Puntlad local government elections scheduled for May 25. The training started simultaneously in Bosaso, Garowe, and Galkayo with the observers being deployed to the respective election locations. The training program, spanning two days, focuses on key aspects of the electoral process, emphasizing the following areas: Promoting transparency in elections; Safeguarding the integrity and reputation of the electoral process; Instilling public confidence in the fairness and credibility of elections. The training will familiarize the observers with the monitoring tools including the ODK system and SMS system which will be employed for data submission to Election Centers, PUNSAA as an integral part of the democracy program assumes a vital monitoring role, facilitating effective communication and collaboration between political organizations and other electoral stakeholders.

PUNSAA and Puntland Political Forum held a meeting today at PDRC, to discuss the strengthening of unity and stability in Puntland.Both parties emphasized the significance of maintaining security and engaging in constructive dialogue to resolve the political conflicts. The Puntland non state actors Association (PUNSAA) consistently advocates for safeguarding the unity, development and solidarity of the people of Puntland.

A senior delegation from Puntland consisting of the Minister of the Ministry of Interior (MOIFAD) of the Puntland Government Mr.Abdi Farah Juha, the Chairman of TPEC Mr. Abdirisak Ahmed Said and the Chairman of the PUNSAA Mr. Abdirahman Abdirisak Abdirahman held meetings with the international community at the Swedish Embassy in Nairobi. The meeting discussed the acceleration of preparations of the Puntland local council the elections scheduled to take place on May 25 and the role of the international community in the election.