NIEBC Launches Voter Registration in Galgaduud

GOOBJOOG NEWS | ELDHER: The National Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (NIEBC) has launched voter registration in Eldher district of Galgaduud region, marking the latest phase of preparations for the country’s planned one-person, one-vote elections.

Residents queued at registration centres to enrol as voters, with the commission saying the exercise is aimed at ensuring broad public participation in the electoral process.

The rollout in Eldher forms part of a nationwide voter registration campaign as Somalia pushes ahead with plans to introduce universal suffrage, replacing the clan-based indirect electoral system that has been used for successive elections.

The federal government has described one-person, one-vote elections as a key milestone in Somalia’s democratic transition, arguing that the system will broaden political participation and strengthen democratic institutions.

However, the electoral roadmap remains the subject of political debate, with several opposition leaders and some federal member states calling for broader political consensus on the framework and timing of the vote before nationwide elections are held.

The electoral commission says voter registration will continue in additional districts as preparations for the polls gather pace.