Voters in Galmudug and Hirshabelle have gone to the polls in simultaneous elections, marking a major step in Somalia’s shift toward direct voting.
DHUSAMAREB, Somalia (Somali Report) — Voters in Somalia’s Galmudug and Hirshabelle states went to polling stations on Wednesday for simultaneous local council and state assembly elections, as the federal government pushes ahead with its one-person, one-vote system.
The National Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (NIEBC) scheduled September 30 for the two elections. The Galmudug vote is a rerun after the Supreme Court annulled the results of the July election, while Hirshabelle is holding its first direct elections for local councils and state representatives.
NIEBC chairman Abdikarim Ahmed Hassan formally opened polling in Dhusamareb, the capital of Galmudug, where voters were among thousands casting ballots for local representatives and members of the state assembly.
Polling in Galmudug is taking place across 11 districts, while Hirshabelle is holding the elections in 12 districts across the Hiiraan and Middle Shabelle regions. The electoral commission has deployed election workers and officials to oversee the process.
Security has been tightened in both states, with authorities restricting movement in some areas and deploying additional forces around polling centres. The measures are aimed at preventing disruptions during voting in regions where insecurity remains a major concern.
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Beledweyne, the capital of Hiiraan, is being closely watched amid political tensions surrounding the Hirshabelle election. Local elders and politicians have previously called for a political agreement before the vote, while authorities have maintained preparations for Wednesday's polling.
The elections are part of Somalia’s broader effort to expand direct voting after decades in which national and regional leaders were largely selected through indirect systems. Galmudug previously held direct elections on July 30 across 11 districts, but the Supreme Court later annulled the results, leading to the rerun.
The vote in Hirshabelle follows similar elections held in South West State in May. Those elections were described by the electoral commission as a major step towards restoring direct voting, with residents in 13 districts casting ballots for local and state representatives.
Several political associations are competing in the two states, with the results expected to shape the composition of regional assemblies and local councils. The elections are also being closely watched because of their potential impact on the political balance between Somalia’s federal government and the federal member states.
Authorities have urged voters and political groups to respect electoral rules and maintain peace as counting begins following the close of polling.
About the Author
Ahmed Omar is a senior journalist for Somali Report, based in Mogadishu. He has two decades of experience reporting on Somalia for international and local media. He covers politics, security, governance, business, trade, economic developments and regional affairs.
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