Mogadishu, Somalia – Intensive preparations are underway throughout Benadir Region as voter card distribution proceeds across most districts, preceding Somalia’s first local elections in 57 years. Daily, thousands of citizens are registering at distribution centers to obtain their voter identification, representing a crucial advancement toward the anticipated elections now scheduled for December 25, 2025.
A Historic Opportunity for Capital Residents
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud characterized the forthcoming elections as a “historic opportunity” for Mogadishu citizens to select their local council representatives. He specifically encouraged youth to actively participate in political organizations contesting the elections, emphasizing their vital role in molding the future trajectory of local governance.
Political Activities Surge in the Capital
Over recent weeks, Mogadishu has experienced heightened political engagement, with representatives from various political factions touring neighborhoods, public spaces, and marketplaces to connect with registered voters.
Multiple political entities, including the Justice and Solidarity Party, Tawfiq Political Party, People’s Party, Ramas Party, and Dalsan Party, have initiated grassroots campaigns focused on garnering public endorsement and articulating their visions for enhancing municipal services across Benadir’s districts.
High Participation at Registration Centers
Concurrently, voter registration venues in Mogadishu continue distributing cards from early morning. Extended, well-organized queues have been observed in numerous districts, with coordinated security arrangements facilitating an efficient distribution process.
The National Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (NIEBC) has affirmed that operations are advancing “as scheduled,” requesting that qualified voters retrieve their identification cards within the specified period to minimize congestion as the election date nears.
A Defining Moment for Local Administration
The upcoming elections signify a substantial advancement toward reinforcing local governance structures in Somalia, providing capital residents with direct influence in choosing district leaders and determining service provision within their localities.
With expanding registration rates and a dynamic campaigning atmosphere, the metropolitan area is progressively advancing toward December 25, a day anticipated to represent the most substantial democratic achievement in Mogadishu within more than five decades.
