Historic Day in Somalia as Mogadishu Residents Vote in Direct Local Elections
Voting is underway today across Mogadishu as residents cast ballots in Banadir’s historic local council elections - the first direct, one-person, one-vote polls in the capital in more than 50 years.
Residents of Mogadishu queue at polling stations for the city’s first direct local elections in over 50 years, casting their votes for the Banadir regional council.
Mogadishu — (SomaliReport) Voting is currently underway across Mogadishu today as residents of the Somali capital head to polling stations for the Banadir local council elections, marking the city’s first one-person, one-vote poll in more than 50 years.
Polling stations opened this morning in all 16 districts of the Banadir region, with long queues forming early as voters cast ballots to elect local council members in a landmark vote aimed at restoring direct public participation in governance.
The elections will fill 390 seats across district councils, which are divided into Category A councils with 27 members and Category B councils with 21 members. The vote involves 1,604 candidates nominated by 20 political parties, according to the National Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (NIEBC).
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s Justice and Solidarity Party (JSP) has fielded candidates for all available seats, making it the most represented party in the contest.
Youth Surge, Gender Gap Remains
Figures released by the electoral commission show that nearly 69 percent of candidates are under the age of 36, underscoring a strong youth presence in the race. However, women account for just 23 percent of contestants, highlighting continued gender disparities in Somali politics.
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High Voter Registration, Heavy Security
NIEBC says more than 923,000 voters were registered across Banadir, with over 99 percent completing biometric verification and cleared to vote at 523 polling stations. More than half of eligible voters had already confirmed their readiness to participate ahead of election day.
Security has been tightened across the capital, with over 10,000 police officers and security personnel deployed to protect polling centers and major roads. Authorities have restricted vehicle movement during voting hours and suspended all flights to and from Mogadishu’s Aden Adde International Airport for the day.
Opposition Boycott, Government Defends Process
While the federal government has described the vote as a critical step toward universal suffrage, several opposition groups have boycotted the elections, accusing authorities of pushing ahead without broad political consensus. Officials have dismissed the criticism, insisting the process is transparent and legally grounded.
Voting is scheduled to conclude later today. The electoral commission has not yet announced when official results will be released.
SomaliReport is a nonprofit, pan-Somali investigative digital newsroom reporting on Somali affairs across Somalia, Kenya, Ethiopia, Djibouti, and the global diaspora. Have a tip or feedback? Reach SomaliReport at info@somalireport.com.