Somalia Election Chief Visits Baidoa to Review Poll Readiness

GOOBJOOG NEWS | MOGADISHU: The head of Somalia’s electoral body, Abdikarim Ahmed Hassan has arrived in Baidoa to assess progress in election preparations in the South West region.

He was received at the airport by the commission’s Secretary General, Hussein Nunow Ali, along with local officials overseeing the process.

The visit is part of efforts by the Independent National Electoral and Boundaries Commission to evaluate operations on the ground, accelerate implementation of election plans and review the country’s overall readiness for upcoming polls.

The trip comes at a time of heightened political tensions in South West State  which has raised concerns over the electoral process and stability.

Baidoa has also witnessed clashes in recent months linked to political disagreements, prompting warnings from civil society groups that the crisis could escalate without dialogue.

The developments coincide with Somalia’s broader push toward expanded suffrage and state-level elections expected in 2026, seen as a key step in transitioning from indirect voting to a more inclusive electoral system.