Mogadishu, SONNA — President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud today formally collected his voter registration card for the upcoming Local Council elections in the districts of Banadir, marking a symbolic and practical step toward the nationwide effort to expand direct democratic participation.
In remarks at the registration site, the President described the moment as a historic opportunity, noting that after 57 years Somali citizens will once again have the chance to directly elect representatives who will manage local affairs and deliver essential services. He emphasized that the right of Somalis to vote freely and directly is not a partisan objective but a constitutional duty that the government is committed to fulfilling.“It is a historic opportunity that, after 57 years, the Somali people will have the chance to directly elect those who will represent them on the Local Councils,” the President said, stressing that free and direct elections are a constitutional obligation the government must implement.
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud recalled a long-standing pledge he and many of his political colleagues made to the Somali people: that those who govern the nation’s future should be chosen by the people themselves. He framed his registration as the first concrete step in realizing that promise.
The President said that the commitment made years earlier — to ensure that leaders are selected by the electorate rather than appointed or imposed — is now being translated into action through the voter registration process and the preparations for local council elections.
The collection of the voter card by the head of state is intended to set an example and encourage broad public participation in the electoral process. Local council elections in Banadir are being organized under the procedures established by the national electoral authorities and relevant legal frameworks.
Electoral bodies, security agencies, and local administrations are expected to coordinate closely to ensure that registration, voter education, and polling operations proceed in an orderly, transparent, and secure manner. The government has reiterated its commitment to working with civil society and international partners to support a credible and inclusive process.
Local council elections are widely seen as a critical mechanism for strengthening municipal governance, improving public service delivery, and enhancing accountability at the grassroots level. By enabling citizens to choose their local representatives directly, the process aims to deepen civic engagement and foster more responsive local institutions.
Officials and observers note that empowered local councils can play a central role in addressing everyday needs — from sanitation and water services to local security and development planning — thereby contributing to broader national stability and reconstruction efforts.
President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud urged all eligible Somalis to participate in the registration and voting processes, highlighting that broad participation is essential to building durable democratic institutions. He called on women, youth, and marginalized groups to exercise their constitutional rights and take an active role in shaping local leadership.
The President also reiterated the need for peaceful conduct throughout the electoral cycle and appealed to political actors to respect the rule of law and the integrity of the process.
With the President’s registration completed, authorities will continue with voter registration drives, logistical preparations for polling stations, and public information campaigns to ensure voters understand the registration and voting procedures. Training for election staff and security planning for polling days are among the immediate priorities.
Government officials have indicated that further announcements will be made regarding the electoral calendar, polling arrangements, and measures to guarantee transparency and safety for voters and election workers.
The President’s act of collecting his voter card is both symbolic and practical: symbolic in its affirmation of the government’s commitment to constitutional democracy, and practical in its encouragement of citizen participation ahead of the Banadir Local Council elections. As Somalia advances these local elections, authorities and stakeholders face the task of translating this momentum into a credible, inclusive, and peaceful electoral process that strengthens local governance and public trust.
