Mogadishu Prepares for Historic Vote as Residents Set to Elect City Leaders for First Time

GOOBJOOG NEWS|MOGADISHU: Mogadishu has entered the final stretch of preparations for local council elections scheduled for the 25th of this month, a vote that will mark a historic turning point for the capital and its residents.

For the first time in more than five decades, Banaadir residents are expected to directly elect their local representatives through a one-person, one-vote system. The elections will also pave the way for Mogadishu residents to choose their mayor and governor indirectly through elected councillors — a role that has traditionally been appointed by the president.

The Independent National Electoral and Boundaries Commission said technical and security preparations are advancing rapidly as the city moves closer to polling day.

Commission chairperson Abdikarin Ahmed Hassan said all essential voting materials have been secured and are ready to be transported to designated polling stations across the capital’s districts. He described the process as a key test of Somalia’s renewed push toward direct democratic participation.

“This is part of our effort to ensure the elections are held on time, in an organised manner and with full transparency,” Abdikarin said, adding that more than 500 polling stations are expected to operate across Mogadishu on election day.

He said the commission is confident the process will run smoothly, calling it a milestone moment for the country’s electoral journey.

Security authorities have meanwhile stepped up preparations to safeguard the vote. The Banaadir regional police chief has issued directives placing all security agencies on high alert in the days leading up to and during the elections, with a focus on protecting polling centres, voters and election personnel.

Security officials said limited road controls will be enforced on election day to allow the safe movement of security forces and election workers, a measure they say is necessary to ensure a calm and secure voting environment.

With electoral bodies and security agencies working in close coordination, Mogadishu is visibly shifting into election mode. If successful, the vote would not only reshape local governance in the capital but also represent the most significant exercise of direct democracy in the city since the late 1960s.