(MENAFN- Somali Land Sun) Somalilandsun-On November 13, the self-declared autonomous state of Somaliland will be holding presidential elections, the third since declaring independence from in 1991.
The incumbent is stepping down and the, in what commentators describe as a close race.
Today, the national electoral commission announced at a press conference that it will be imposing a shutdown of until the election results come out.
While governments have sought to justify such bans on the grounds that election commentary may spark violence or the proliferation of 'fake news, the public's access to information is key to free and fair elections.
A May 2015 by inter-governmental experts on freedom of expression states that shutting down entire parts of communications systems, 'can never be justified under human rights law. Government restrictions should be law-based and a necessary and proportionate response to a specific security concern, not simply to curtail the flow of information.
The proposed Internet shutdown would be a first in Somaliland, but not in the region. In several countries, including , , and , telecommunications authorities have deliberately blocked the Internet for days or longer during periods of social unrest and elections.
In November 2016, theAfrican Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights raised concerns over, 'the emerging practice of State Parties of interrupting or limiting access to telecommunications services such as the , increasingly during elections, and called on governments to guarantee, respect, and protect citizens' rights to freedom of information and expression through access to Internet services.
Somaliland officials should acknowledge the critical role the Internet plays in its development and democratization process. And, if they are concerned about the spread of 'fake news and social unrest, they can disseminate accurate information and discourage violence.
Laetitia BaderSomaliland has the chance to conduct elections in a manner that promotes genuine participation. It should step back from taking measures that would thwart this.
The author Laetitia Bader is Senior Researcher, Africa Division
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