MOGADISHU: The National Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (NIEBC) has published the official list of polling stations for the upcoming South West State elections, identifying designated voting centers across all districts of the regional state. The commission notified residents in a public statement that the polling locations are now finalized for election day.
The polling stations are distributed across multiple districts, including Baidoa, Marka, Afgooye, Buurhakaba, Berdaale, Diinsoor, Xudur, Awdheegle, Baraawe, Ceelberde, Qansaxdheere, Waajid, and Wanlaweyn. In Baidoa alone, dozens of voting centers have been established at locations such as Cabdalla Deerow Primary School, Baydhabo Model School, Mujamac Al Kuwait, Sheikh Mustafa School, and Green Light Center, among others. The commission has been actively registering voters across South West State as part of the transition to universal suffrage.
In Berdaale district, voting will take place at Berdaale Primary/Secondary School (three polling units), Berdaale Secondary School (two units), Waaberi neighborhood centers, and Horseed neighborhood centers. In Buurhakaba, stations include Buurhakaba Secondary School, Hajabara Primary School, Waaberi School, Ayub Sheikh Secondary School, Camaar Binu Yaasir School, Al Xuneyn School, and Banooda University. The list reflects the commission’s effort to use schools, health centers, and public buildings as polling venues.
District-by-District Distribution of Polling Centers
For Waajid district, the commission has established several key centers: the Waajid District Headquarters (four units), Waajid School (four units), Waaberi Center (three units), District MCH (three units), Wanka Center (two units), MCH Faadumo (three units), and MCH Hodan (three units).
In Wanlaweyn district, polling will be concentrated at the Wanlaweyn District Headquarters (three units), Wanlaweyn School (four units), Cabdullaahi Ibnu Mubaarak School (three units), Imaamu Nawawi School (four units), Mujamac Imaamu Shaafici (three units), Ludhfi-Allah School (one unit), and Al-Cimra School (two units).
For Diinsoor district, voting centers are located at the district headquarters (two units), Hooyoyinka center, Diinsoor Hospital, Waaberi School, Howlwadaag School, Hilaac center, and the Girls’ School. In Xudur, the capital of Bakool region, polling stations have been set up at Bakool regional headquarters, Xudur district headquarters, Xudur Secondary School, Hanuuninta Xudur, Xudur Primary School, Shodog School, Buulow Primary School, Mama Geediya School, MCH Shiddle, MCH Gareedo, and Isbartiibada.
Lower Shabelle districts are also covered. In Afgooye, polling will take place at Kacaanka School, Al Qaasimi School, Tadaamun School, Afgooye Secondary School, MCH Galbeed (Ow Eedin), Xawo Taako School, Baalguri Hospital, Ceelasha police station, Iftiin Ceelasha, and other locations. In Awdheegle, stations include MCH Awdheegle, Awdheegle School, Saldhiga Lambar 50, and MCH Lambar 50.
For the coastal district of Baraawe, polling centers are listed at Al-Nuureyn School, Dhalinyarada Center, Qasabka School, Aflax (Ambareso), KGS Ministry of Education building, Qaasim Al-Barawawi School (two units), Dalfure School, Hoolka Bulshada, and Saqaawudiin School. In Marka district, the commission has designated the district police station, New Way School, Lower Shabelle regional headquarters, Horseed department, Israac center, Nuurta Taliyow, Bufuw Bacad School, Ceeljaale locality, Awbaale School, and Mowlaca Sheikh Xasan Yuusuf.
In Qansaxdheere district, polling will be held at the district headquarters (two units), Nation Center, Mad Janaay Center, and Busleey School (two units). For Ceelberde district, stations are at Ceelberde district headquarters (two units), Ugaas Khaliif School (two units), and Gargaar School.
South West State Elections in Context
The release of polling stations comes as the Federal Government moves to install a new leadership in South West State. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has remained stationed in Baidoa alongside cabinet ministers and federal officials to oversee the region’s political transition. Earlier, former president Abdiasis Laftagareen was ousted after federal forces entered Baidoa on March 30, prompting his resignation and departure to Nairobi.
Adan Mohamed Nur (Madobe), the parliamentary speaker, has been received in Baidoa as the frontrunner to become the next South West president. The election is expected to follow a one-person, one-vote model, though the NIEBC has acknowledged security and logistical challenges. The commission has urged all eligible voters in the designated districts to turn out on election day and exercise their civic duty.
