Voters flocked to polling stations in the self-declared republic of Somaliland last Sunday to vote for local officials in the first democratic elections for more than 35 years. The unrecognized but relatively stable northern area declared its independence from Somalia in 1991, after the overthrow of President Mohamed Siad Barre and the disintegration of the central Government. The local elections are being held before the Presidential voting scheduled for the end of January, but reports confirm that the elections were not held in some parts of Somaliland, notably Baran, Hadaftimo and Dahar. Officials of the self-declared Government are hoping that these elections will encourage international recognition.