Somalia to Hold First Nationwide One-Person, One-Vote Election in Over 50 Years

GOOBJOOG NEWS | MOGADISHU: Somalia is set to hold its first nationwide one-person, one-vote election in 2026, marking a historic shift from the clan-based, indirect voting system that has governed the country for decades.

Foreign Minister Ahmed Moalin Fiqi announced the government’s commitment to implementing universal suffrage across all federal states, including Puntland and Jubbaland.

“We are ending the old practice where regional administrations dictate our choices. The people will no longer be forced into selections against their will. Elections will be held in Puntland, Jubbaland, and throughout Somalia,” Fiqi stated.

However, the plan has sparked resistance from leaders in Puntland and Jubbaland, as well as opposition politicians, who accuse the federal government of sidelining them in the electoral process.

Despite these challenges, the National Independent Electoral Commission has affirmed its readiness to oversee and facilitate the transition to direct elections, breaking a political impasse that has stalled electoral reforms.

Somalia last held a direct election in 1969, more than five decades ago. If successful, the 2026 vote will mark a major milestone in the country’s democratic evolution.