Abdikarim Ahmed Hassan, Chairman of Somalia’s National Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (NIEBC), has announced that voter registration will commence on April 15, 2025, in nine districts of the Banadir region, which includes Mogadishu.
This initiative is a significant step towards implementing a “one person, one vote” electoral system in Somalia, marking a move towards more inclusive and democratic local governance.
This voter registration drive is part of broader preparations for Somalia’s first universal suffrage elections since 1967, with local council elections scheduled for June 2025. The NIEC has acquired new digital voter registration equipment and trained electoral staff to facilitate this process.
However, the electoral process faces challenges, including opposition from some political figures and leaders of the Jubbaland and Puntland administrations, who question the federal government’s authority to organize such elections without broader consensus.
In response to requests from political organizations, the NIEC has extended the deadline for the registration of new political parties by 21 days, moving it from March 31 to April 21, 2025.
These developments indicate a significant move towards democratic reforms in Somalia, aiming to enhance political participation and accountability at the local level.
