Mogadishu (SONNA) – The Commissioner of Somalia’s National Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, Mr. Abdikarim Ahmed Hassan, has hailed the successful conduct of local and parliamentary elections held across multiple districts in South West State, describing the vote as a historic milestone for Somalia’s democratic transition.
The electoral chief said residents in 13 districts of South West State turned out early Sunday morning to cast their ballots in the direct elections.
“Today, May 10, 2026, South West State held long-awaited combined elections. Polling stations opened at 6:00 a.m. and closed at 6:00 p.m. Voting has concluded in all but one station, and vote counting is now underway,” Abdikarim said.
He noted that the elections took place across the three regions of Lower Shabelle, Bay, and Bakool, adding that Somalia had not witnessed such elections in nearly 60 years.
The chairperson praised citizens for peacefully participating in the vote without fear, saying long queues formed at polling stations, including people with disabilities who waited under the hot sun to elect their representatives.
He also commended Somali security forces for maintaining order and securing polling centers, describing them as heroes committed to protecting the nation and its people.
Abdikarim further revealed that following the South West elections, the electoral commission plans to move ahead with one-person, one-vote elections in Hirshabelle, Galmudug, and Jubbaland as part of efforts to bring governance closer to the Somali people.
