Waajid, Bakool – The federal Minister of Ports and Marine Transport, Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur, arrived in Waajid district of the Bakool region on Saturday to officially launch voter registration for the country’s long-awaited one-person, one-vote elections. The initiative, conducted in collaboration with the National Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (NIEBC), marks a historic moment for Waajid residents—who are getting the opportunity to vote directly for the first time in 56 years.
Addressing residents gathered at the registration site, Nur urged citizens to come out in large numbers and register, emphasizing that their participation is vital to Somalia’s democratic journey.
“This is more than a registration exercise—it is a symbol of hope, unity, and progress for our nation. Every citizen’s voice matters, and every vote will shape the future of Somalia,” he said.
He commended the efforts of the local administration, traditional elders, and security forces who have worked to make the voter registration process possible in a region that has endured years of conflict and hardship. The minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensuring that all Somalis, regardless of location, can take part in shaping their governance through free and fair elections.
The launch in Waajid is part of a broader national campaign to implement universal suffrage across Somalia, replacing the decades-old clan-based electoral system. The initiative is widely seen as a cornerstone of the government’s democratic reform agenda and a step toward rebuilding trust between citizens and state institutions.
Local elders, youth representatives, and women’s groups hailed the event as a moment of pride and renewal. Many described it as a long-awaited opportunity for inclusion and representation, especially for communities in the Bakool region that have historically been left out of national processes.
Security was visibly tight around registration centers, with Somali National Army troops and regional security units deployed to safeguard the process.
For the people of Waajid, Saturday’s event was not just a bureaucratic milestone—it was a deeply emotional return to civic participation and a reaffirmation of Somalia’s determination to build a peaceful, democratic future.