Banadir Residents Given Final Window to Collect Voter Cards Ahead Of Local Polls

GOOBJOOG NEWS | MOGADISHU: The National Electoral Commission (NEC) on Friday opened voter card collection centres across Mogadishu, giving residents of the Banadir region a final opportunity to obtain the documents required to participate in next week’s local council elections.

The commission said the decision to keep centres open through the weekend was intended to accommodate citizens who were unable to collect their cards during normal working days due to work and family commitments.

NEC officials urged eligible voters to take advantage of the window, stressing that possession of a valid voter registration card will be mandatory on Election Day.

The Banadir local council elections are scheduled for Dec. 25, with residents of the capital expected to elect representatives who will oversee district administration, local development and service delivery.

The vote is viewed as a key step in strengthening local governance and public participation in Somalia’s democratic process.

In its advisory, the NEC warned that voters who fail to collect their cards before polling day will not be allowed to cast ballots, noting that the requirement is part of measures aimed at safeguarding the credibility and integrity of the election.

The commission said the Banadir polls mark an important milestone in Somalia’s ongoing efforts to entrench democratic institutions and empower citizens at the grassroots level.