Friday October 24, 2025
Mogadishu (HOL) - The National Independent Electoral and
Boundaries Commission (NIEBC) has announced that local elections in Mogadishu
will officially begin on November 30, 2025, following the completion of voter
registration.
Commission Chairman Abdikarin Ahmed Hassan told Somali
National Television on Friday that 918,890 citizens have successfully
registered to vote in the Banadir Regional Administration.
“We have reached a figure that is a good sign and a strong
start,” Hassan said, describing the turnout as a clear indication of the
public’s desire to reclaim its political rights after decades under a
clan-based electoral system.
He added that the Commission expects a large voter turnout
on election day, noting that 69 percent of registered voters are between 18 and
34 years old — highlighting the growing influence of Somalia’s youth in shaping
the country’s democratic future. The registered electorate is composed of 62
percent men and 38 percent women, marking a new milestone for electoral inclusion.
Chairman Hassan also confirmed that the Commission has made
substantial progress toward establishing a multi-party system, having
registered 14 political associations so far.
“Registration and certification of political associations
are ongoing, ensuring a competitive multi-party system for the upcoming polls,”
he said.
Despite the announcement, major opposition groups —
including Puntland and Jubbaland states — have declared that they will boycott
the elections, accusing the federal government of managing the process
unilaterally.
The Commission said its current focus is on finalizing
logistical arrangements, voter education, and securing polling centers to
ensure that the Banadir vote is transparent, peaceful, and reflective of the
community’s mandate for direct democracy.