Supreme Court Overturns Galmudug Election Results

MOGADISHU — The Supreme Court of Somalia has announced its ruling on the Galmudug State local council and parliamentary elections, with Chief Justice Bashe Yusuf Ahmed delivering the decision in a move that directly impacts previously announced electoral outcomes.

The court’s ruling follows legal challenges to the electoral process in Galmudug State. The exact details of the Supreme Court’s ruling have not been fully disclosed, but it directly affects the previously announced election results. Political observers and stakeholders in Galmudug are awaiting further clarification on how the ruling will be implemented and what steps will be taken to resolve the electoral dispute.

The ruling comes after the Chairman of the Tawfiq Political Party, Sheikh Mohamed Shakir Ali Hassan, voiced deep disappointment over the conduct of the recent Galmudug State elections, alleging irregularities, violence, and the exclusion of party representatives from polling stations. Sheikh Shakir claimed that party representatives were barred from certain polling stations and that voters were subjected to intimidation and violence. “What happened is not something we are satisfied with, not something we expected, and not something we accept as political organizations,” Sheikh Shakir said.

The Tawfiq Party subsequently formally rejected the final results of the Galmudug State elections, declaring the outcome invalid and calling for an independent review of the results. The party alleged widespread irregularities, violence, and the exclusion of its representatives from polling stations. The party’s chairman described the electoral process as deeply flawed and called for an independent review of the results.

Election Results and Allegations of Irregularities

The National Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (NIEBC) announced the final results of the Galmudug State local council elections on August 2, 2026, confirming that 197,971 voters cast their ballots across 11 districts in the Galgaduud and Mudug regions. A total of 16 political organizations participated in the local council elections, competing for 247 seats across the 11 local councils, while 12 political organizations contested for the 89 seats of the regional parliament.

The Justice and Solidarity Party (JSP) emerged as the dominant force, securing 115 local council seats with 106,388 votes (55.55 percent) and 63 parliamentary seats. The Towfiiq Party came in second with 49 local council seats and 12 parliamentary seats, followed by Karaamo (29 local / 5 parliamentary), Sincad (25 local / 6 parliamentary), Madalsan (10 local / 0 parliamentary), and other smaller parties.

The electoral commission confirmed that voting was largely smooth and that polling stations closed on time, though some remained open longer to accommodate voters still in line. However, the commission also warned against the dissemination of unofficial election-related information and confirmed that it is investigating alleged violations of electoral procedures at some polling stations.

Political Tensions and Federal Interference Allegations

The electoral process was overshadowed by a deep political rift between President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and NISA Director Mahad Mohamed Salad over who should lead Galmudug. The dispute became public when Salad decided to contest the presidency against the federal government’s preferred candidate, exposing deep fractures within the ruling party. The intelligence chief had reportedly informed both President Mohamud and Prime Minister Barre directly that he planned to run for the Galmudug presidency himself.

A delegation of senior Somali politicians returned to Mogadishu after meetings with Galmudug President Ahmed Abdi Kaariye “Qoorqoor”, where key issues discussed included a proposal that Qoorqoor be allowed to participate in upcoming elections as a candidate under a separate political party. The talks were described as part of broader efforts to open a channel of dialogue between President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud and Qoorqoor.

A political standoff emerged between the Federal Government and the Galmudug State administration following a controversial dual appointment for the position of Galmudug Police Chief. The federal authorities appointed Colonel Mohamed Dahir Abdulle, while President Qoorqoor issued a state decree rejecting the federal move and reappointed Khaliif Abdulle Maalin (Ilkacase). The overlapping claims of authority risk creating a leadership vacuum or internal friction within the regional security apparatus.

The NIEBC had previously released the official timeline for the Galmudug State elections, scheduling the presidential vote for July 20, 2026. A total of 215,860 individuals were successfully enrolled and issued voting cards across the Galgaduud and Mudug regions. The commission emphasized that the timeline was designed to ensure maximum transparency, procedural integrity, and broad public participation.

Critical Note

The Supreme Court’s ruling on the Galmudug election results highlights the critical role of the judiciary in resolving electoral disputes and upholding the rule of law. However, the allegations of irregularities, violence, and federal interference underscore the deep mistrust that has characterized the electoral process in Galmudug. The federal government’s heavy-handed role in shaping the outcome, including the withdrawal of the incumbent president and the designation of a single candidate for the ruling party, has raised serious concerns about the independence and credibility of the process.

The electoral commission’s refusal to extend the campaign period, despite appeals from multiple parties, suggests a process that prioritizes expediency over inclusivity. The NIEBC has been accused of being a rubber stamp for the federal government’s preferences rather than an independent arbiter of a free and fair contest. The wide discrepancy between the Towfiiq Party’s claims and the commission’s figures underscores the depth of the dispute and the need for an independent review.

The constitutional crisis over the police chief appointment and the political rift between President Mohamud and his intelligence chief further complicate the situation. Without transparent investigation into the alleged irregularities and a commitment to releasing results that accurately reflect the will of the voters, the Galmudug elections risk being remembered not as a milestone for democracy, but as another example of political manipulation in Somalia’s federal member states.