[3] Most importantly, it endorsed multiparty elections at all levels of government through universal suffrage paving way for democratic rule.

In May 1991 after the fall of the military dictator of Somalia, Siad Barre, the Somali National Movement declared the independence of Somaliland.

In 1997, at a Conference of Somaliland Communities in Hargeisa, a constitution was adopted to last for 3 years until a referendum could take place to bring it into full effect.

[9] In August 2002, President Egal's government distributed thousands of copies of the proposed constitution across Somaliland.

[8] However, in those stations recorded they reported that the referendum was open, fair, peaceful and any fraud was rare and insignificant.