The National Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (NIEBC) of Somalia has officially announced the start date for voter registration ahead of the upcoming local elections.
Speaking during the launch ceremony of the National Voter Registration Campaign held today at Decale Hotel in Mogadishu, the Chairman of the National Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, Abdikarim Ahmed Hassan, revealed that Somali citizens will begin registering to vote on April 15th. He emphasized that eligible voters will head to designated registration centers to obtain their voter ID cards.
Chairman Hassan stated that the registration process will first commence in the Banadir region, enabling residents to participate in the upcoming local council elections scheduled for June 30th this year.
“It is a great honor that, nearly 60 years later, on April 15th, the people of Banadir will begin registering to cast their votes and elect their local council representatives on June 30th,” said Chairman Abdikarim Ahmed Hassan.
He also highlighted a significant milestone—announcing that the Commission has officially received all the necessary equipment to facilitate a one-person, one-vote election. This includes voter registration kits and the tools required for election day operations. He described this as a historic achievement and stressed that this equipment is a valuable national asset belonging to the Somali people.
The launch event brought together high-ranking government officials, members of parliament, leaders of several political parties, and representatives from various segments of society.
In addition, the Commission has initiated a nationwide public awareness campaign to encourage citizens to register and obtain voter identification cards, which are essential for participating in the elections.
The Commission made it clear that individuals who do not possess the official voter ID card will not be allowed to vote.
The National Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, which was established in November of last year, elected Abdikarim Ahmed Haasan as its Chairman on December 2, 2024. Since then, the Commission has formally begun carrying out its duties.
