SHARM EL-SHEIKH – The Chairman of the National Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (NIEBC), Abdikarim Ahmed Hassan, has participated in the 10th African Electoral Commissions Forum, held in the Egyptian resort city of Sharm El-Sheikh, where election officials from across the continent gathered to discuss ways to enable diaspora communities to participate in national polls.
The forum, which brought together heads of election management bodies from African nations, focused this year on the legal and technical frameworks required to facilitate voting for African citizens living abroad. Discussions centred on drafting legislation for diaspora voting and establishing practical mechanisms for citizens to cast their ballots at embassies and consulates in their countries of residence.
The NIEBC has been at the forefront of Somalia’s electoral reforms, with Chairman Abdikarim Ahmed Hassan previously reaffirming plans to hold direct local elections in Mogadishu, describing the vote as “a crucial step toward democratic governance.”
Somalia’s Diaspora: A Key Constituency
Somalia is home to one of the largest diaspora populations in Africa, with millions of Somalis living abroad in countries across the globe. The participation of the NIEBC chairman in the forum underscores the commission’s commitment to developing a robust framework that will enable Somali citizens overseas to take part in future elections.
The NIEBC has already made significant strides in preparing for elections within the country, with the distribution of voting cards in Mogadishu marking a key step in the electoral process. The commission has also released technical assessments of voter registration and verification systems.
Presentation on Somalia’s Electoral Progress
During his time in Sharm El-Sheikh, Chairman Hassan also attended the meeting of African election commission heads, where he delivered a presentation on the recent electoral developments in Somalia. He specifically highlighted the local council and parliamentary elections held in the Banadir Region and South West State, as well as the broader steps Somalia has taken to strengthen its democratic processes.
The Banadir Region registered nearly one million voters ahead of its local polls, a major milestone in Somalia’s electoral journey. The provisional voter list for the region included 923,220 registered voters.
Electoral Reforms and the Path to Universal Suffrage
Somalia has been gradually moving toward a system of universal suffrage, with the NIEBC playing a central role in this transition. The commission has been working to establish a credible and inclusive electoral process, including through the registration of voters and the organisation of local and regional elections.
The NIEBC has released an independent technical assessment of the country’s voter registration and verification systems, marking a pivotal milestone in Somalia’s journey toward democratic consolidation.
Way Forward
Somalia’s participation in the 10th African Electoral Commissions Forum reflects the country’s growing engagement with continental electoral bodies and its commitment to learning from the experiences of other African nations. As Somalia continues to develop its electoral framework, the inclusion of the diaspora remains a key priority for the NIEBC, which is working to ensure that all Somali citizens, regardless of where they live, can exercise their right to vote.
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