Somalia’s Supreme Court has validated the results of Hirshabelle’s September 30 parliamentary election, confirming that Caddaaladda iyo Wadajir won 78 of the legislature’s 99 seats after more than 112,000 valid votes were counted.
MOGADISHU (Somali Report) — Somalia’s Supreme Court has given final approval to the results of elections for the Hirshabelle regional parliament, confirming a landslide victory for the ruling JSP party, which won 78 of the 99 seats, according to an official court decision.
The ruling, dated October 19, followed a review of documents and procedures submitted by the National Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, which had initially announced the results provisionally.
The court said no legal challenge had been filed against the election, held on September 30, and ruled that the results met the requirements of the National Electoral Law, enacted in November 2024.
Under the law, the electoral commission has the authority to announce provisional results, while final validation rests with the Supreme Court. The judges also reviewed the commission’s application against the court’s procedures for certifying election results and adjudicating electoral disputes.
The court instructed its senior clerk to deliver the ruling to the electoral commission and ensure its publication in accordance with legal procedures.
The Hirshabelle election was held across 10 districts, with 13 political organisations competing for 99 seats in the regional House of Representatives.
The electoral commission reported that 114,633 votes were cast, of which 112,451 were valid and 2,182 were rejected as invalid.
Caddaaladda iyo Wadajir emerged as the dominant organisation, securing 88,130 votes and 78 seats, according to the approved results.
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Karaama came second in terms of seats, winning six with 6,875 votes, while Iftiin Qaran secured five seats with 6,165 votes.
Sincad won three seats with 3,701 votes, while the Somali Democratic organisation received 2,368 votes and two seats. Ramaas also secured two seats, with 1,939 votes.
Several smaller organisations won one seat each. Caddaalad iyo Midnimadda Tiir received 759 votes, Madalsan won 911 votes and Muwaadiniinta Soomaaliyeed secured a seat with 122 votes.
Other groups failed to win representation despite participating in the contest. Dadka Soomaaliyeed received 113 votes, Saab secured 120 votes, Dan Shacab obtained 51 votes and Dhallinyarada Talo-Qaran received 97 votes, according to the commission’s figures.
The election forms part of Somalia’s broader transition towards a one-person, one-vote electoral system, under which voters directly choose political organisations and their representatives rather than relying solely on the country’s previous indirect voting arrangements.
The electoral commission said the vote had taken place peacefully and freely. However, the broader electoral process has faced criticism from opposition figures, who have questioned aspects of the federal government’s push towards direct elections.
The final court approval provides a legal conclusion to the Hirshabelle parliamentary election, although political disagreements over the implementation of Somalia’s wider electoral reforms remain.
Somalia has been pursuing changes to its electoral system as federal authorities seek to expand direct voting, a process that has generated disputes between the government and opposition groups over the rules, timing and political arrangements governing elections.
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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