MOGADISHU (Kaab TV) – Somalia’s controversial Federal Electoral Commission began voter registration on Monday in Shangaani district, Mogadishu, as part of a disputed process aimed at holding one-person, one-vote elections.
The Commission’s Chairperson, Abdikarim Ahmed Hassan, described the launch as a significant step forward, noting that other districts will follow in the coming days.
“I am pleased to announce the official start of voter registration,” Abdikarim told reporters.
The registration site, located inside a government facility in Shangaani, saw long queues, mostly made up of civil servants, soldiers, and government officials, including some ministers.
This move comes amid deepening political rifts in Somalia.
The voter registration process is part of a broader plan by the federal government which they claim to implement a controversial elections despite strongly opposed by political opposition groups and some federal member states who believe it as an attempt to extend president Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s term.
Last week, Banadir’s Deputy Governor for Security, Mohamed Ahmed Yabooh, revealed that although the original plan included 20 districts, only nine are currently ready to carry out the registration process.
“A total of 163 polling sites were planned across the country, but the current phase will only proceed in the nine districts that are prepared. The rest will follow once they’re ready,” said Yabooh.
#MOGADISHU: Somali government officials have announced the commencement of voter registration in Shangaani district, Mogadishu, as part of a widely debated electoral process.
Although the registration was initially planned to cover 20 districts, the Banadir Regional… pic.twitter.com/d4dIU7DPXv
— Kaab TV (@KaabTV) April 15, 2025
The registration process is linked to recent constitutional amendments passed by the federal government, which also led to the formation of the new electoral commission.
However, the changes have been rejected by Puntland and Jubbaland states, as well as opposition politicians, including former leaders.
The international community has also expressed concern, withholding full support for the commission due to fears that the political impasse may further destabilize the country.
The National Consultative Council, which was meant to oversee the election process, has not convened in months due to the withdrawal of two key federal member states — Puntland and Jubaland — both of which do not recognize the authority of the Federal Government in Mogadishu.
Additionally, opposition groups in Mogadishu have rejected the unilateral electoral process and strongly criticized President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s controversial constitutional amendments passed last year.
With just one year remaining in President Mohamud’s term, critics fear that the voter registration efforts launched solely by the federal government may be part of a broader strategy to extend his time in office.