ICPS honours Somaliland’s NEC for setting a regional standard in credible, biometric-driven elections.
Somaliland’s National Electoral Commission (NEC) has been awarded the 2025 ICPS Excellence Award, an international recognition honoring transparency, innovation, and professionalism in election management.
The award was presented during the 21st Annual International Electoral Awards and Symposium held in Gaborone, Botswana, from October 1 to 4.
The event, organized by the U.K.-based International Centre for Parliamentary Studies (ICPS) and hosted by Botswana’s Independent Electoral Commission, brings together global experts to celebrate milestones in democratic governance.
In a statement, the NEC called the award a “milestone in Somaliland’s democratic journey,” expressing gratitude to citizens, partners, and supporters worldwide.
“We are deeply honoured by this award and by your recognition of Somaliland’s progress,” the Commission said. “With hope in our hearts, we look forward to the day Somaliland is fully embraced by the international community. That day will be a victory for all of us.”
The ICPS cited Somaliland’s pioneering use of Biometric Voter Registration and Verification (BVRS/BVVS) — a system designed to eliminate duplicate voting and enhance public confidence — as a decisive factor in the commission’s selection.
The NEC was also commended for organizing ten peaceful national elections and one constitutional referendum over the past three decades, earning a reputation for credibility and independence.
Observers at the Gaborone symposium highlighted Somaliland’s unique, community-driven democratic model, noting its ability to sustain free and fair elections despite limited international recognition. “Somaliland continues to set a regional benchmark for transparency and civic participation,” one delegate remarked.
The ICPS Excellence Award is among the world’s most respected distinctions in electoral governance, reserved for institutions that demonstrate innovation, operational integrity, and a sustained commitment to voter trust.
The recognition enhances Somaliland’s global profile as a self-governing democracy that has maintained stability, rule of law, and competitive elections without external supervision.
“This honour belongs to the people of Somaliland,” the NEC said. “Their faith in ballots over bullets has allowed democracy to take root and flourish.”
