Mogadishu (Kaab TV) – Residents of Mogadishu, the capital of Somalia, turned out this morning to participate in a controversial one-person, one-vote election to choose local council members for the districts of the Banadir region.
The city is under lockdown, with roads, businesses, educational institutions, and key economic facilities—including the airport and seaport—closed due to the public election. Only authorized service vehicles are operating.
Security has been significantly tightened. Senior officials of the Federal Government have urged citizens to cast their votes, describing the election as a rare opportunity coming 58 years after the last such vote.
The Chairman of the National Independent Electoral Commission, Abdikarim Ahmed Hassan, called on voters to follow proper voting procedures and stated that the election is free and fair.
Districts have been divided into two categories, A and B. Category A districts—Hodan, Yaqshid, Dayniile, Karaan, Dharkeenley, Wadajir, Heliwaa, Hawlwadaag, and Warta Nabadda—will each elect 27 council members, in accordance with the electoral law.
Category B districts—Waaberi, Shibis, Xamar-Jajab, Boondheere, Xamar-Weyne, Cabdicasiis, and Shangaani—will each elect 21 council members.
The election is being contested by 20 political organizations, which have been campaigning across Mogadishu in recent days to win voters’ support.
According to the National Electoral Commission, voting is scheduled to conclude at 6:00 p.m. this evening.