Somali President Registers to Vote as Nation Prepares for First Universal Suffrage in 54 Years

GOOBJOOG NEWS|MOGADISHU: Somalia’s President, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, today registered and received his voter card in the ongoing preparation for one person, one vote elections — a landmark process the country is undertaking for the first time in 54 years.

Speaking after completing the registration, President Hassan Sheikh said Somalia is now firmly on the path toward universal suffrage, marking a major shift from the indirect electoral systems that have dominated for decades.

The president’s move comes during the voter registration phase of the electoral process, which is currently underway across various parts of the country. Authorities say the exercise is a critical step in ensuring all eligible Somali citizens have the opportunity to cast their ballot in free and fair elections.

The symbolic act of the head of state obtaining his voter card is seen as an effort to encourage public participation, while also reinforcing the message that every citizen’s vote counts. It sends a signal to the public, civil society, and international partners that the government is committed to delivering credible, peaceful, and transparent elections, free from military interference or political intimidation.

Somalia last held a universal suffrage election in 1969 before decades of military rule, civil war, and political instability disrupted democratic governance. In recent years, voting has been indirect, with lawmakers selected through clan-based delegate systems. The ongoing voter registration, supported by both national institutions and international partners, is therefore a milestone in the country’s democratic journey.

If successful, the elections will not only restore the democratic principle of one person, one vote but also mark a new era in Somalia’s state-building process.