The disputed universal suffrage “one person, one vote” elections officially commenced today across the Galmudug and Hirshabelle Federal Member States, with voters heading to polling stations to participate in local council and representative elections.
In Jowhar, the administrative capital of Hirshabelle, votes were cast by the Hirshabelle leadership candidate for the Justice and Solidarity Party (JSP), Ali Guudlaawe Hussein, alongside the Speaker of the Hirshabelle House of Representatives and other officials, while crowds of citizens were seen lining up at polling stations.
Ali Guudlaawe Hussein stated that today marks a significant milestone for the people of Hirshabelle, noting that the region’s public turned out at polling centers to choose their preferred leadership.
Curfews extending until evening hours were also enforced today in the towns of Jowhar and Beledweyne, with authorities stating that the measure is part of an overarching plan to secure voting locations and ensure the smooth conduct of the electoral process.
Meanwhile, in Galmudug, voting got underway across towns including Dhuusamareeb, Guriceel, Cadaado, and Gaalkacyo, with reports from various stations indicating that citizens formed long queues to cast their ballots