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Electoral Commission Sets 2026 State Elections Timeline, Silent on Presidential Vote as Term Lapse Nears

Storyline:National News

GOOBJOOG NEWS|MOGADISHU: The National Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission of Somalia (NIEBC) has unveiled a detailed timetable for the 2026 state-level elections, confirming that the process will begin on May 10 with local council and State Assembly elections in South West State.

The announcement, issued in Mogadishu on Saturday, outlines a phased electoral process running through August across several Federal Member States, as political pressure intensifies ahead of the expiration of current mandates later this month.

The commission clarified that the opening vote will elect members of local councils and the State Assembly —a single-chamber legislature at the state level, distinct from Somalia’s bicameral federal parliament.

State Elections Timeline

According to the commission:

  • South West State (Konfur Galbeed)
    • May 10 – Local councils and State Assembly elections
    • May 18 – Follow-up legislative processes
    • May 23 – Election of State President
  • Hirshabelle
    • June 20 – Local councils and State Assembly elections
    • July 2 – Follow-up legislative processes
    • July 9 – Election of State President
  • Galmudug
    • June 20 – Local councils and State Assembly elections
    • July 2 – Follow-up legislative processes
    • July 9 – Election of State President
  • Banadir Region
    • July 30 – Election of regional representatives
    • August 5 – Election of Mayor and Deputy Mayor
  • Bari (Puntland)
    • July 30 – Local representation elections
  • Gedo (Jubbaland)
    • July 30 – Local representation elections

Legal Framework and Electoral Commitments

The commission said the timetable is grounded in constitutional and electoral laws, including provisions of the provisional constitution and relevant legislation governing electoral processes.

It pledged to issue detailed guidelines, conduct civic education, and engage stakeholders throughout all phases of the elections, emphasizing transparency, accurate vote counting, and adherence to democratic principles.

Political Context

The rollout comes at a politically sensitive moment, with the current federal government’s mandate nearing its expiry in mid-May. While the commission has laid out a roadmap for state-level elections, it has not announced any timeline for the federal presidential election, raising fresh concerns among opposition groups and political observers.

Critics argue that the absence of clarity on the presidential vote—despite limited time remaining—could deepen uncertainty and intensify political tensions.

The commission, however, maintained that any changes or additional announcements would follow legal procedures within the constitutional framework.