afrol News, 28 May - The Somaliland political parties have signed an agreement with the Electoral Commission to fix an election date in the Horn of Africa state.

The agreement which is derived from a series of negotiations among the political parties and the electoral committee, saw all parties agreeing to 27 September 2009 as the official day for the polls.

The parties have also agreed that they will accept the list of voters that is to be published by the electoral commission if it will be finalised before the 27th of July.

They also urged the elections technical committee to ensure clean voter’s lists that would be accepted by all political parties.

Late last month, opposition parties had marched in the capital, Hargeisa, accusing the government of breaking the constitutional provisions and demanding fair state media coverage.

The opposition parties also contested the six months term extension by the Upper House, saying it was derailing the country’s fragile democracy.

The political crisis in Somaliland erupted in May 2008 after President Riyale received a one-year term extension following a vote by the House of Guurti. Last month, the House of Guurti voted again to give President Riyale and Vice President Ahmed Yusuf Yasin a term extension for the second time.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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