Somalia Launches Nation-Wide Voter Registration Ahead of Local Council Polls

GOOBJOOG NEWS|MOGADISHU: The National Independent Elections and Boundaries Commission (INEBC) has announced the start of voter registration from Tuesday.

INEBC chairman Abdikarin Ahmed Hassan announced Sunday that the electoral body was ready to commence the registration of voters for the local council elections, which will be held from June 30.

“On the 15th of this month, the registration of voters will start,” Hassan said, noting that the exercise will pave the way for the conduct of local council elections starting with Banaadir region, which encompasses the capital, Mogadishu.

He added that, “The registration will begin in the Banadir region, first in Shangaani district, then in Shibis, Hamarweyne and other districts, and then in all regions of the country.”

The registration is in conformity with the planned one-person-one-vote elections adopted by the country’s leadership, albeit with resistance from sections of the political class.

The electoral body spoke while unveiling electoral equipment ij Mogadishu. “Today we are unveiling the equipment that we want to use in the elections, presenting it to the Somali people and the international community. We want the equipment to be examined and a general report to be issued,” said Hassan.

The universal vote will be the first in over five decades.