Mogadishu (Kaab TV) – Somali security agencies have announced that nearly 10,000 police officers are fully prepared to provide security for the local council elections scheduled to take place in Mogadishu on December 25.
Speaking to the media on Sunday, the Minister of Internal Security, Abdullahi Sheikh Ismail (Farataag), said the Somali Police Force has finalized a comprehensive security plan to ensure the elections are conducted peacefully, safely, and transparently.
“The Somali Police Force is ready and capable of securing the elections. All necessary preparations have been completed,” Minister Farataag said, emphasizing that the protection of civilians, polling stations, and election personnel remains the top priority for security agencies.
He added that police officers will be deployed across the capital to safeguard voters, polling centers, election officials, and key infrastructure throughout the voting period.
The upcoming local council elections are widely regarded as a historic milestone, marking the first direct one-person, one-vote (OPV) elections in Mogadishu in more than five decades.
In anticipation of potential security threats—particularly from armed groups seeking to disrupt the process—security agencies have intensified patrols, enhanced intelligence coordination, and reinforced checkpoints throughout the city.
Meanwhile, the National Independent Electoral Commission (NIEC) announced that nearly 5,000 election workers will be deployed to polling stations across the Banadir region on December 25 to facilitate the smooth conduct of the vote.
NIEC Chairman Abdikarim Ahmed Hassan said the election staff, most of whom are young Somalis, have undergone extensive training in election administration, voter rights, polling procedures, and professional responsibilities to ensure a transparent and credible process in accordance with national laws.
“The Banadir election is of particular importance and represents a significant step in Somalia’s democratic journey,” Abdikarim said, noting that well-trained election workers are essential to building public trust in the electoral process.