Djiboutian parliamentary election, 2008
Encyclopedia
A parliamentary election was held in Djibouti
on 8 February 2008. There were 65 candidates running for the 65 seats in the National Assembly
, with all of the candidates coming from the ruling coalition, the Union for the Presidential Majority (UMP). The opposition boycotted the election, and the UMP won all 65 seats.
In boycotting the election, the opposition complained that the electoral system guaranteed victory for the UMP; in the previous January 2003 parliamentary election
, the UMP won all 65 seats even though the opposition won 38% of the vote. The opposition unsuccessfully demanded that proportional representation
be introduced. Ismael Guedi Hared, a leader of the opposition Union for a Democratic Alternative, said that the country effectively had a one-party system, that "none of the democratic rules [were] respected", and that the government was unwilling to accept proportional representation because it was fearful of discontent.
In a decree on 26 December 2007, President Ismail Omar Guelleh
set the election date for 8 February 2008. Subsequently, in a presidential decree on 6 January 2008, campaigning was scheduled to begin at midnight on 25 January and run until midnight on 6 February.
The UMP filed its list of candidates at the Interior Ministry on 10 January 2003. More than a third of its candidates were new, and nine of its candidates (14% of the total) were women. In addition to the main governing party, the People's Rally for Progress
(RPP), the UMP coalition included the National Democratic Party
(PND), the moderate faction of the Front for the Restoration of Unity and Democracy
(FRUD), the People's Social Democratic Party (PSD), and the Union of Reform Partisans
(UPR). Prime Minister Dileita Mohamed Dileita
headed the UMP list. According to Dileita, the government's refusal to introduce proportional representation was due to the need to preserve "the tribal balance", pointing to chaotic conditions of neighboring Somalia
as an example to avoid. He did, however, say that it might be necessary to consider introducing proportional representation at some future time.
The newly formed Arta Region
was represented as a separate constituency for the first time in the 2008 election. Three seats were at stake there.
Yacin Elmi Bouh
, the Minister of the Interior, announced on 9 February that the UMP had won all 65 seats and placed turnout at 72.61%, which he said was the highest in 15 years. Out of 151,490 registered voters, 109,999 were said to have voted, with 103,463 votes in favor of the UMP and 6,536 null votes. Voter registration was low, however.
The African Union
and the Arab League
observed the election and gave it a positive assessment. The Constitutional Council validated the results on 17 February, and the National Assembly met for the first session of its new term on 20 February, re-electing Idriss Arnaoud Ali
as President of the National Assembly.
Djibouti
Djibouti , officially the Republic of Djibouti , is a country in the Horn of Africa. It is bordered by Eritrea in the north, Ethiopia in the west and south, and Somalia in the southeast. The remainder of the border is formed by the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden at the east...
on 8 February 2008. There were 65 candidates running for the 65 seats in the National Assembly
National Assembly of Djibouti
The National Assembly is the unicameral legislative branch of the government of Djibouti.-Overview:It consists of 65 members – 30 Somali and 30 Afar – elected to serve five-year terms in multi-seat constituencies...
, with all of the candidates coming from the ruling coalition, the Union for the Presidential Majority (UMP). The opposition boycotted the election, and the UMP won all 65 seats.
In boycotting the election, the opposition complained that the electoral system guaranteed victory for the UMP; in the previous January 2003 parliamentary election
Djiboutian parliamentary election, 2003
The 2003 Djiboutian parliamentary election took place in Djibouti on the 10 January 2003 to elect the National Assembly of Djibouti. The ruling coalition of President Ismail Omar Guelleh won all 65 seats in the election defeating an opposition coalition....
, the UMP won all 65 seats even though the opposition won 38% of the vote. The opposition unsuccessfully demanded that proportional representation
Proportional representation
Proportional representation is a concept in voting systems used to elect an assembly or council. PR means that the number of seats won by a party or group of candidates is proportionate to the number of votes received. For example, under a PR voting system if 30% of voters support a particular...
be introduced. Ismael Guedi Hared, a leader of the opposition Union for a Democratic Alternative, said that the country effectively had a one-party system, that "none of the democratic rules [were] respected", and that the government was unwilling to accept proportional representation because it was fearful of discontent.
In a decree on 26 December 2007, President Ismail Omar Guelleh
Ismail Omar Guelleh
Ismaïl Omar Guelleh is the President of Djibouti. He succeeded his uncle, Hassan Gouled Aptidon, in 1999. He is often referred to in the region by his initials 'IOG'....
set the election date for 8 February 2008. Subsequently, in a presidential decree on 6 January 2008, campaigning was scheduled to begin at midnight on 25 January and run until midnight on 6 February.
The UMP filed its list of candidates at the Interior Ministry on 10 January 2003. More than a third of its candidates were new, and nine of its candidates (14% of the total) were women. In addition to the main governing party, the People's Rally for Progress
People's Rally for Progress
The People's Rally for Progress , is a political party in Djibouti. It has dominated politics in the country since 1979, initially under the rule of President Hassan Gouled Aptidon...
(RPP), the UMP coalition included the National Democratic Party
National Democratic Party (Djibouti)
The National Democratic Party , is a political party in Djibouti. It was founded as an opposition party in 1992 by Aden Robleh Awaleh, who remains the party's president. It is currently part of the ruling coalition....
(PND), the moderate faction of the Front for the Restoration of Unity and Democracy
Front for the Restoration of Unity and Democracy
The Front for the Restoration of Unity and Democracy , is a political party in Djibouti. It is aligned with the interests of the Afar people who live in that country, although it has supporters residing outside of Djibouti....
(FRUD), the People's Social Democratic Party (PSD), and the Union of Reform Partisans
Union of Reform Partisans
The Union of Reform Partisans , is a political party in Djibouti. It was formed in 2005 as an offshoot of the Front for the Restoration of Unity and Democracy...
(UPR). Prime Minister Dileita Mohamed Dileita
Dileita Mohamed Dileita
Dileita Mohamed Dileita has been the Prime Minister of Djibouti since March 2001. He is the Vice-President of the main governing party, the People's Rally for Progress , and is the President of the governing coalition, the Union for a Presidential Majority .-Biography:Dileita was born in Tadjoura...
headed the UMP list. According to Dileita, the government's refusal to introduce proportional representation was due to the need to preserve "the tribal balance", pointing to chaotic conditions of neighboring Somalia
Somalia
Somalia , officially the Somali Republic and formerly known as the Somali Democratic Republic under Socialist rule, is a country located in the Horn of Africa. Since the outbreak of the Somali Civil War in 1991 there has been no central government control over most of the country's territory...
as an example to avoid. He did, however, say that it might be necessary to consider introducing proportional representation at some future time.
The newly formed Arta Region
Arta Region
The Arta Region is one of the six Regions of Djibouti. The Region borders the Gulf of Tadjoura, Tadjoura Region, and Djibouti Region to the north, Dikhil Region to the west and south-west, the Ali Sabieh region to the south, and Somalia to the east....
was represented as a separate constituency for the first time in the 2008 election. Three seats were at stake there.
Yacin Elmi Bouh
Yacin Elmi Bouh
Yacin Elmi Bouh is a Djiboutian politician. He was Minister of Finance from 1997 to 2005 and has been Minister of the Interior and Decentralization since 22 May 2005.-Early life and education:...
, the Minister of the Interior, announced on 9 February that the UMP had won all 65 seats and placed turnout at 72.61%, which he said was the highest in 15 years. Out of 151,490 registered voters, 109,999 were said to have voted, with 103,463 votes in favor of the UMP and 6,536 null votes. Voter registration was low, however.
The African Union
African Union
The African Union is a union consisting of 54 African states. The only all-African state not in the AU is Morocco. Established on 9 July 2002, the AU was formed as a successor to the Organisation of African Unity...
and the Arab League
Arab League
The Arab League , officially called the League of Arab States , is a regional organisation of Arab states in North and Northeast Africa, and Southwest Asia . It was formed in Cairo on 22 March 1945 with six members: Egypt, Iraq, Transjordan , Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, and Syria. Yemen joined as a...
observed the election and gave it a positive assessment. The Constitutional Council validated the results on 17 February, and the National Assembly met for the first session of its new term on 20 February, re-electing Idriss Arnaoud Ali
Idriss Arnaoud Ali
Idriss Arnaoud Ali is the President of the National Assembly of Djibouti, as well as the Secretary-General of the People's Rally for Progress .-Career:...
as President of the National Assembly.