GAROWE (Kaab TV) – The Puntland House of Representatives on Saturday held its 9th sitting of the 58th parliamentary session, chaired by Speaker Abdirizak Ahmed Said, alongside the First and Second Deputy Speakers, to deliberate on proposed amendments to Puntland’s Law on Regional and District Administration and the Establishment of Local Governments.
During the session, Puntland’s Minister of Interior, Federal Affairs and Democratization presented lawmakers with a comprehensive briefing on the proposed amendments. The minister explained the objectives of the reforms, the reasons behind revising the legislation, the legal review process, and the expected administrative and financial implications of the proposed changes.
A key provision of the bill seeks to significantly reduce the size of local councils across Puntland. Under the proposed amendments, Grade A municipalities would have their council membership reduced from 33 to 15 members, Grade B municipalities from 29 to 13 members, and Grade C municipalities from 27 to 11 members.
Puntland authorities say the reforms are intended to streamline local governance, improve efficiency, strengthen accountability, and reduce the financial burden associated with maintaining larger local councils.
Officials argue that smaller councils will enable local administrations to deliver public services more effectively while making better use of limited public resources.
Lawmakers questioned the minister on various aspects of the proposed legislation before engaging in an extensive debate. At the conclusion of the session, Parliament referred the bill to the Parliamentary Committee on Interior, Federal Affairs and Democratization for further review, amendments, and preparation for its second reading.
The committee is expected to present its report and recommendations to Parliament on July 4, 2026, after consulting relevant stakeholders and completing its review of the proposed legislation.
The proposed amendments come as Puntland continues implementing its transition to a direct “one-person, one-vote” electoral system for local government elections, replacing the previous indirect selection process. The electoral reforms are being overseen by the Transitional Puntland Electoral Commission (TPEC), which has been tasked with organizing local elections across Puntland’s districts.
The reduction in council seats forms part of broader institutional reforms aimed at strengthening democratic governance, improving the efficiency of local administrations, and ensuring elected councils remain more accountable to the communities they represent as Puntland advances its decentralized governance agenda.