Galmudug Elections Underway as 300 Polling Stations Open Across 11 Districts

DHUSAMAREB – Voters across Galmudug State have turned out to polling stations on Thursday to cast their ballots in the region’s first-ever one-person, one-vote elections, marking a historic shift from the clan-based power-sharing system that has long characterised Somali politics.

The elections, which opened across approximately 300 polling stations in 11 districts, will determine the membership of both local councils and the Galmudug State House of Representatives. A total of 369 candidates from 12 political organizations are contesting the 89 seats of the regional parliament, while 924 candidates from 16 political organizations are competing for 243 seats across the 11 local councils.

A Historic Moment Amid Political Tensions

The elections represent a significant milestone for Galmudug, which is set to become the second federal member state after South West State to choose its leadership through direct popular vote. The National Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (NIEBC) has confirmed that 215,860 individuals have been successfully enrolled and issued voting cards across the Galgaduud and Mudug regions.

Deputy Prime Minister Salah Ahmed Jama, accompanied by federal ministers and other officials, visited polling stations in Galkayo to monitor the process. Federal lawmakers whose electoral constituencies are in Galmudug also cast their votes in Galkayo and Dhusamareb.

NIEBC Chairman Abdikarim Ahmed Hassan confirmed that the voting process was proceeding smoothly, with no major incidents reported in the early hours of the vote.

A Commission That Follows Orders, Not Principles

The NIEBC’s insistence on adhering to the July 30 date, despite requests for a delay, raises fundamental questions about its independence and commitment to a level playing field. In a region where many voters lack access to information and candidates struggle to reach remote communities, the decision to rush the process serves the interests of well-funded candidates with federal backing, not the voters who deserve meaningful engagement.

The commission has been accused of being a rubber stamp for the federal government’s preferences rather than an independent arbiter of a free and fair contest. While the Minister of Information and the NIEBC Chairman have coordinated efforts on public awareness and media coverage, the broader political context has cast a shadow over the electoral process.

The arrival of NISA Chief Mahad Mohamed Salad in Galmudug ahead of the vote highlighted the federal government’s heavy-handed role in shaping the electoral outcome. A bitter disagreement between President Mohamud and Salad over who should lead Galmudug exposed deep fractures within the ruling party and raised questions about the independence of the electoral process.

A Pattern of Federal Interference

The Galmudug elections come after a period of intense political negotiations and a shifting political landscape. Galmudug President Ahmed Abdi Kariye (Qoor-Qoor) withdrew from the presidential race following talks with federal officials, clearing the way for the federal government’s preferred candidate. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has designated Liban Ahmed Hassan as the sole candidate for the ruling Justice and Solidarity Party (JSP), bypassing internal party competition and raising concerns about the independence of the electoral process.

The NIEBC had rejected calls from political parties to delay the vote, citing the need to adhere to the electoral calendar. However, the compressed timeline has raised concerns about the credibility of the process, with critics arguing that it disadvantages candidates who lack resources and federal backing.

Way Forward

The Galmudug elections represent a significant step toward democratic governance in Somalia, but they also highlight the challenges that remain. The federal government’s interference in the electoral process, the NIEBC’s refusal to accommodate legitimate concerns from political parties, and the compressed timeline have all raised questions about the credibility of the vote.

For the people of Galmudug, the elections are an opportunity to shape their own future. But the success of the process will depend on whether the government can deliver a genuinely free, fair, and transparent vote that reflects the will of the people. Without these safeguards, the historic moment risks being remembered not as a democratic milestone, but as another missed opportunity.