NIEBC Sets September 30 for Hirshabelle Local and Regional Assembly Elections

GOOBJOOG NEWS | MOGADISHU: Somalia’s National Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission has rescheduled the combined elections for Hirshabelle’s local councils and regional House of Representatives, setting Sept. 30, 2026 as polling day.

The commission released the new timetable after postponing the elections previously scheduled for Aug. 20, citing its legal powers under Article 10 of the National Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission Law and Article 18 of the National Elections Law.

The electoral process will begin on Sept. 2 with the publication of the preliminary voter register. Polling stations will be designated on Sept. 15, followed by voter registration and the distribution of voter cards from Sept. 16.

Political organisations will submit candidate lists for the local councils and regional assembly on Sept. 17. The final voter register is due to be published on Sept. 19, while the official list of candidates will be announced on Sept. 22.

The final stages will include the submission and accreditation of political organisations’ polling agents and election observers. Campaigning will close on Sept. 28, two days before voters are due to go to the polls.

The rescheduled vote is part of Somalia’s broader effort to expand direct elections after decades of indirect political processes. Hirshabelle is expected to hold the combined elections for both local councils and the regional legislature under the new timetable, making the process an important test for the country’s wider move towards one-person, one-vote elections.

The commission called on political organisations, Hirshabelle residents and other stakeholders to prepare for participation in the elections.