Somalia’s first draft of Lexicon of electoral terms was presented by three Somali language experts to the public on 24 May at the National Independent Electoral Commission’s (NIEC) Office, located at Villa Somalia, Mogadishu..  The project builds on an existing ‘UNDP Arabic-English-French Lexicon of Electoral Terminology’, and is jointly carried out by Somalia’s National Independent Electoral Commission and the Ministry of Interior and Federal Affairs (MOIFA).

 

One of the experts provided a presentation of the methodology used, as well as a summary of key words selected from the 481 terms, divided by themes like electoral disputes, media, electoral observation, as well as announcements of the results, followed by a participatory debate with a high level of engagement when it came to discussing, for example, the translation of the terms and concept of transparency, constituency or political funding.

Approximately thirty  participants from government, academia and civil society, including women’s groups, expressed their appreciation for the initiative undertaken, while presenting their comments and views on specific issues.

 

“This Lexicon is an important tool as it builds a common electoral language that is going to provide a vocabulary to the Somali people for further democratic development,“ said Halima Ismail Ibrahim, the NIEC chairperson.