Somalia: Puntland election commissioners visiting regions, districts

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Somalia
22 Sep 22, 2012 - 9:32:46 PM GAROWE, Somalia Sep. 22, 2012 (Garowe Online) - Members of the Puntland Electoral Commission are visiting regions and districts of Puntland State of Somalia in a bid to raise public awareness about the state’s homegrown democratization process and the opening of political associations, Garowe Online reports. Mohamed Hassan Barre, Chairman of the Puntland Electoral Commission, told the BBC Somali Service during a Saturday interview that he is visiting Qardo town, the capital of Karkar region. "We are here in Qardo to engage government officials, community leaders and civil society organizations, with the purpose of raising public awareness about the ongoing democratization process," said Chairman Barre, adding that the commissioners will continue visiting regions and districts to spearhead the public awareness campaign. Chairman Barre rejected reports of protests in Qardo, stating that Puntland government is advancing the democratization agenda. On 18 April 2012, the Puntland Constituent Assembly overwhelmingly approved the state’s new constitution. A self claimed clan elder nicknamed "Afdhaal", who spoke on VOA Somali Service on Saturday, claimed that there were "massive protests" in Qardo town against the government’s "one year extension." Some Somali websites published photographs of a few boys burning tires. Political observers say the "one year extension" is a nonissue being raised by political opponents of Puntland President Abdirahman Mohamed Farole, who has advanced the state's constitutional and democratic foundations. Last week, the Puntland Electoral Commission approved the registration of political associations ahead of upcoming District Council elections, where many political associations will compete for seats. READ: Somalia: 'Registration of political associations open': Puntland Election Commission Thus far, the Commission has not announced any political association that has met the criteria and has been approved to partake in the upcoming elections. Puntland, located in northeastern Somalia, has been relatively stable since the 1990s with its own state government, policies and security forces, and has held three peaceful elections with smooth transfer of power. GAROWE ONLINE