Saturday, April 19, 2025 (SDU) – Voter registration for the local council elections scheduled for June this year has begun today in the districts of Xamarweyne, Boondheere, and Shibis in the city of Mogadishu.
Hundreds of people from various neighborhoods in these districts lined up at designated voter registration centers to register.
The Chairman of Shibis District, Ali Somali, who spoke to the media at the registration site, expressed his satisfaction with how the people of Shibis have shown their desire for one-person-one-vote elections to take place in the country.
“I want to be the last appointed Chairman of Shibis District. I am happy that the people of the district are choosing their leader through their votes,” said the Chairman of Shibis District, Ali Somali.
A woman who registered to vote in Shibis District today mentioned that she is ready to cast her vote for the leader she trusts, for the first time.
“We have waited for many years to see a day like today, where I can proudly cast my vote. I am happy to have registered today for the upcoming local council elections in June,” said the woman.
The Chairman of the National Election Commission, on his part, stated that the commission is focused on ensuring the implementation of the Somali national elections.
“Voter registration for the local council elections is currently underway in Mogadishu, covering 4 districts. The registration in Shangani District was successfully completed, and it had the honor of being the first to start voter registration in the Benadir region. Today, we have begun the implementation of one-person-one-vote elections, which are believed to be challenging. The people of Benadir have shown their readiness for national elections,” said Chairman Abdikarim.
However, it is worth mentioning that opposition politicians and the regional administrations of Jubaland and Puntland have previously opposed the country moving towards one-person-one-vote elections. They have also resisted the independent election commission and the National Boundary Commission, which are currently working on implementing a national election.
SJN
Source: Own correspondence in Mogadishu, Somalia