Somalia to hold local elections in Mogadishu on November 30

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.