HirShabelle Voters Cast Ballots in Historic One-Person, One-Vote Elections

GOOBJOOG NEWS | HIRSHABELLE: Polling opened across HirShabelle State on Wednesday as residents participated in the state’s first universal-suffrage elections, choosing representatives through a one-person, one-vote system.

The historic vote covers seats in the HirShabelle House of Representatives and local councils. It marks a departure from the indirect selection arrangements that have long shaped Somalia’s political institutions and gives registered residents a direct role in choosing their representatives.

The National Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission scheduled the elections for September 30 following a month-long programme of electoral preparations. These included publishing voter lists, identifying polling stations, distributing voter cards, registering candidates and accrediting political organisations’ agents and election observers.

Fourteen political organisations are competing in the elections, according to the commission’s final notice issued on September 28.

They are Cadaaladda iyo Midnimadda Tiir, Madalsan, Muwaadiniinta Soomaaliyeed, Dimuqraadiyada Soomaaliyeed, Caddaaladda iyo Wadajirka, Dadka Soomaaliyeed, Karaama, Saab, Iftiin Qaran, Dan Shacab, Sincad, Dhalinyarada Talo Qaran, Ramaas and Towfiiq.

Each organisation has been assigned a ballot number and symbol to help voters identify their preferred choice. The numbers range from seven, assigned to Cadaaladda iyo Midnimadda Tiir, to 55, assigned to Towfiiq.

The commission initially required political organisations to submit their candidate lists by September 17. Following requests from participating organisations, it extended the deadline to September 23 before formally closing submissions.

Wednesday’s election is being held alongside direct voting in Galmudug State. The chairperson of the electoral commission, Abdikarim Ahmed Hassan, formally opened the two electoral exercises, according to reports published on polling day.

For HirShabelle, the vote represents an important test of Somalia’s transition towards broader direct elections. It will also test the capacity of electoral institutions to administer simultaneous contests for state and local representatives while ensuring transparency, security and public confidence.

The election was originally expected to take place in August but was rescheduled to September 30 to allow the commission to complete preparations, including voter registration and the distribution of voter cards.

Voting is expected to continue at designated polling stations before counting begins. Official results will be announced by the National Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission.