National Election Commission Urges Parties to Register For Galmudug Local Polls

GOOBJOOG NEWS | DHUSAMAREEB: The National Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (NIEBC) has called on political parties to complete registration for local council elections in the central state of Galmudug, as preparations continue for what is seen as part of a broader effort to expand local democratic representation.

In a statement issued from Dhusamareeb on Tuesday, the commission said political associations intending to contest the district council elections must submit their registration applications by July 25, with candidate nominations scheduled to close on July 30.

The commission urged political organizations to complete all legal requirements within the prescribed timelines, saying timely compliance would help ensure the smooth organization of the polls.

It also appealed to parties to give greater attention to public awareness campaigns aimed at encouraging voter participation and improving understanding of the electoral process.

The electoral body said election stakeholders should avoid actions that could disrupt preparations and instead cooperate to facilitate an orderly voting process.

This is seen as part of Somalia’s efforts to implement wider electoral reforms aimed at shifting towards direct elections after decades in which most public officials have been chosen through indirect, clan-based processes.

The rollout of local council elections has become a key part of that transition. Similar elections have already been held in parts of Puntland, Somaliland and South West State, although implementation has varied across Somalia’s federal member states because of political disagreements and differing constitutional interpretations.

The federal government has maintained that expanding local elections is an important step towards universal suffrage, while some opposition politicians and several federal member states have questioned the pace and framework of the reforms, arguing that broader political consensus is needed before nationwide implementation.

The Galmudug polls are therefore being closely watched as another test of Somalia’s electoral transition, with observers saying their credibility will depend not only on technical preparations but also on the level of political participation and public confidence in the process.