Mogadishu, Somalia – President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud officially received his voter registration card for the upcoming local council elections in Banadir districts, representing both a symbolic and practical advancement in Somalia’s efforts to broaden direct democratic participation.
During his comments at the registration location, the President characterized the occasion as a historic opportunity, highlighting that after 57 years Somali citizens will once more be able to directly elect representatives to oversee local matters and provide vital services.
He stressed that the right of Somalis to vote freely and directly is not a political goal but a constitutional obligation that the government is dedicated to fulfilling.
The President stated, “This is a historic opportunity that, after 57 years, the Somali people will have the chance to directly elect those who will represent them on the Local Councils,” emphasizing that free and direct elections constitute a constitutional duty the government must carry out.
President Mohamud remembered a persistent commitment he and numerous political associates had made to the Somali people: that those entrusted with governing the nation’s future should be selected by the citizens. He presented his registration as the initial tangible action toward fulfilling that pledge.
The President explained that the pledge made previously to guarantee that leaders are chosen by voters rather than appointed or imposed is now being put into practice through the voter registration process and arrangements for local council elections.
The head of state’s acquisition of a voter card aims to set a precedent and motivate widespread public involvement in the electoral process. Local council elections in Banadir are being conducted under the guidelines set by national electoral institutions and applicable legal frameworks.
Electoral commissions, security forces, and local authorities will work in close coordination to ensure that registration, voter education, and polling activities advance in an organized, transparent, and secure fashion.
The government has restated its dedication to collaborating with civil society and international partners to back a trustworthy and comprehensive process.
Local council elections are generally regarded as a crucial instrument for enhancing municipal governance, advancing public service provision, and increasing accountability at the community level. By allowing citizens to directly select their local representatives, the process seeks to intensify civic involvement and cultivate more accountable local institutions.
Authorities and commentators recognize that empowered local councils can serve a pivotal function in addressing common requirements ranging from sanitation and water services to local security and development planning, thereby supporting wider national stability and reconstruction initiatives.
President Mohamud encouraged all qualified Somalis to engage in the registration and voting procedures, noting that extensive involvement is fundamental to establishing enduring democratic institutions. He appealed to women, youth, and marginalized communities to exercise their constitutional rights and play an active part in determining local leadership.
The President also repeated the importance of maintaining peaceful conduct throughout the electoral period and requested political figures to honor the rule of law and the integrity of the process.
Following the President’s registration completion, authorities will proceed with voter registration initiatives, logistical arrangements for polling stations, and public awareness campaigns to guarantee that voters comprehend the registration and voting procedures. Training for election personnel and security arrangements for polling days rank among the immediate priorities.
Government representatives have signaled that additional communications will be issued concerning the electoral timetable, polling arrangements, and measures to ensure transparency and protection for voters and election personnel.
The President’s action of obtaining his voter card holds both symbolic and practical significance: symbolically, it affirms the government’s dedication to constitutional democracy; practically, it encourages citizen engagement prior to the Banadir Local Council elections.
As Somalia progresses with these local elections, officials and parties face the challenge of converting this momentum into a legitimate, comprehensive, and peaceful electoral process that reinforces local governance and public confidence.
