Mogadishu — Residents of the self-proclaimed state of Somaliland voted on Monday in its third presidential poll, hoping to prove its democratic credentials and strengthen the case for independence from troubled Somalia.

The northern territory, which is more tribally homogenous and stable than the rest of Somalia, broke away in 1991 and has been striving to attain international recognition ever since.

Three candidates are running for the state’s top office, seasoned politicians Muse Bihi of the ruling Kulmiye party and opposition candidates Abdirahman Iro and Faysal Ali Warabe, who was defeated in previous elections in 2010.

“The procedure started peacefully this morning and we are confident that this election is going to be a milestone for the entire region,” said Iro as he voted.

Elections are meant to be held every five years, however the poll was delayed for two years due to drought and technical issues.

Incumbent Ahmed Mohamud Silaanyo is not seeking re-election.

Somaliland’s history of peaceful, credible elections and democratic transition sets it apart from anarchic southern Somalia, and indeed much of east Africa.

Somalia’s election earlier this year saw a president chosen via a limited electoral process in which handpicked clan elders selected delegates who were allowed to vote.

Ahead of the Somaliland election, the three main candidates held a televised debate to present their political agendas, focusing on the economy, jobs and international recognition.

“This is a very critical election... for the youth, they need a leader who can develop the economy and bring jobs so that everybody can stay in their country to enjoy their lives,” said university student Ismail Mohamed.

The poll is set to be the most sophisticated yet with some 700,000 voters registered using biometric eye scanners which will identify them before they cast their ballots.

A decision by authorities to block all social media when polling stations close at 6:00 p.m. (1500 GMT) was criticized by Human Rights Watch last week.

Said Ali Muse, spokesman for the national electoral commission, said the move was necessary to prevent interference from outside the borders of the semi-autonomous state and speculation over results.

It is unclear how soon results will be released.

Somaliland, a former British protectorate, won independence in 1960 but days later joined with Somalia. In 1991, after years of bitter war with the government in Mogadishu, it declared independence from the rest of the country.

Despite its lack of recognition, the state has managed to draw significant investment from abroad, notably Gulf nations.

Kuwait financed the renovation of the airport in the capital Hargeisa, and a Dubai-based company has been contracted to expand the Berbera port in a bid to compete with Djibouti for container traffic from Ethiopia. — AFP