BAIDOA – Mahad Maxamed Sheekh Xasan has won the position of Speaker of the South West State House of Representatives, following an election held at the South West State Parliament Hall in Baidoa, according to the acting Speaker of the South West State House of Representatives.
Mahad Maxamed Sheekh Xasan received 70 votes, while his opponent, Abdihakim Faqi, received 25 votes. The election marks a significant step in establishing the leadership of the South West State Parliament.
Candidacy Certificates Presented Before Elections
Prior to the election, the Secretary-General of Somalia’s National Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, Hussein Nunow Ali, presented candidacy certificates to candidates competing for leadership positions in the South West State Parliament. For the Speaker position, Mahad Mohamed Sheikh Hassan of the JSP party faced Abdihakim Mahmoud Fiqi from the National Unity and Development Party (NUP).
In the race for First Deputy Speaker, Adan Hassan Mohamed (JSP) and Abdirizak Hussein Adan (Karaama) competed, while Shamso Mohamed Yarow (JSP) and Axlaam Omar Mohamed (Karaama) contested for Second Deputy Speaker.
South West State Elections Framework
The National Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission announced election dates for multiple federal member states, with South West State, Galmudug, and Hirshabelle scheduled to hold one-person, one-vote elections. The South West State parliamentary and presidential elections followed the successful one-person, one-vote local council elections in 13 districts, which President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud praised as “a new chapter in Somalia’s history.”
South West State has been preparing for regional elections with political actors and citizens keenly watching the political landscape. The administration intensified security measures and logistical planning ahead of the vote.
Federal Government’s Commitment to Democratic Process
The federal government has firmly rejected any alternative political models, confirming that the shift to a one-person, one-vote system is permanent. The Minister of Information stated there will be no negotiations about returning to indirect or clan based selection methods.
South West State previously conducted one-person, one-vote local council elections across 13 districts, marking a historic shift from indirect clan based selection to direct public voting. The successful completion of those local elections set a precedent for the upcoming regional parliamentary and presidential polls.
Leadership Elections as Part of Broader Reforms
The leadership elections for the South West State Parliament, originally scheduled for June 4, 2026, represent another step in Somalia’s continuing efforts to enhance democratic governance and institutional development at both federal and state levels.
South West State, encompassing the regions of Bay, Bakool and Lower Shabelle, ranks among Somalia’s most politically significant federal member states and plays a vital role in the nation’s governance and security framework. The election of Speaker Mahad Maxamed Sheekh Xasan will be followed by the presidential election, where regional parliament members will choose the next President of South West State.
Looking Ahead
Political observers will monitor the election results closely, anticipating they will influence the future trajectory of governance and development priorities in South West State. The outcome of these elections is expected to shape the political landscape of the region and impact broader federal-state relations in Somalia’s evolving governance structure.
The National Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission has urged all stakeholders to cooperate in ensuring the electoral process remains transparent, peaceful, and credible, as the country continues its journey toward establishing fully democratic governance at all levels.
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