Somalia Sets April 2027 Date for Parliamentary Elections, Presidential Vote in May

GOOBJOOG NEWS | MOGADISHU: Somalia’s National Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (NIEBC) has proposed April 15, 2027, for elections to the House of the People and May 15, 2027, for the presidential vote, setting out a timetable for the country’s next national elections.

In a statement, the commission said the proposed dates were based on provisions of Somalia’s Provisional Federal Constitution and the National Electoral and Boundaries Commission Law.

The timetable places parliamentary elections one month ahead of the presidential vote, with preparations expected to begin in November 2026 through political party registration and candidate certification.

According to the commission, political party registration and candidate certification will run from November 1 to November 22, 2026. Candidate lists for the two houses of the Federal Parliament are also scheduled for submission on November 22.

Further milestones include the submission of House of the People candidate lists on January 21, 2027, followed by Upper House candidate lists on February 27. The final lists of candidates for both parliamentary chambers are scheduled for March 15, ahead of the proposed April parliamentary elections.

The commission cited constitutional and electoral law provisions governing the timing of parliamentary and presidential elections, including requirements relating to parliamentary terms and the duration of the presidential mandate.

The announcement provides a proposed electoral calendar as Somalia prepares for a new round of national elections, with the process expected to shape the composition of the federal legislature and the country’s next presidency.

The implementation of the timetable will depend on the electoral preparations and political processes leading up to the scheduled polls.