Mogadishu, (SONNA) – A national ceremony marking the official launch of Somalia’s Voter Registration Campaign was held in Mogadishu, drawing the participation of the Second Deputy Speaker of the House of the People, officials from the Benadir Regional Administration, and members of the National Independent Electoral Commission (NIEC).
The campaign sets the stage for the registration of citizens in the capital this week, as preparations intensify for the anticipated June local council elections, where citizens will vote under a “one person, one vote” model.
Speaking at the event, Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament Hon. Abdullahi Abshirow highlighted the electoral journey and urged all stakeholders to support the electoral commission. He warned that failure to collaborate could lead Somalia back to indirect elections, a system no longer accepted in the modern democratic world.
Governor of Benadir and Mayor of Mogadishu, Hon. Mohamed Ahmed Amiin, emphasized the importance of restoring decision-making power to the people. He welcomed the imminent start of voter registration in Mogadishu’s Shangani district and called on residents of Benadir to register and prepare to elect their leaders. “We are at a point in history where we can no longer say we cannot choose our own leaders,” he stated.
Chairperson of the National Electoral Commission, Abdikarim Ahmed Hassan, reaffirmed that the registration process will officially begin on April 15, with voter registration centers opening across the capital.
Also speaking at the event, Deputy Governor for Security and Politics of Benadir Region, Hon. Mohamed Ahmed Yabooh, confirmed that nine districts in Benadir will launch voter registration this week. He stated that while the electoral commission is leading the technical process, the regional administration has taken the lead in community mobilization to ensure widespread participation.
Yabooh stressed the importance of civic engagement, stating that the Benadir administration is actively raising awareness to encourage citizens to take an active role in the upcoming elections.
