Badhan, 04 July 2013 (SDN) – Somaliland armed forces on Thursday confiscated election materials for the upcoming Puntland elections in eastern Sanaag region. Somaliland army commanders in Badhan city have brought the confiscated election materials in Erigavo, the capital of Sanaag region. The confiscated election materials include ballot boxes, stamps, inks and posters intended for the upcoming Puntland elections in Badhan and surrounding areas. Somaliland army commander in Badhan district in a telephone interview with our reporter said that Somaliland armed forces raided the vehicles carrying the election materials after receiving information about the smuggling of election materials in Badhan and Lasqoray districts. “with a minor resistance Somaliland army succeeded in confiscating the election materials in Ceel Bu about 60 KM east of Badhan” Somaliland army commander in Badhan Said.
Sanaag is one of the disputed regions claimed as sovereign territory by Somaliland and Puntland. The dispute between Somaliland and Puntland stems from 1998, when Puntland formed and declared the region as part of its territory.
On 28, June 2013 Somaliland armed forces took over the control of Badhan district in eastern Sanaag region from Puntland forces.
SDN Badhan
