Tuesday August 11, 2026
Mogadishu (HOL) — International ambassadors and representatives have welcomed Somalia’s progress toward one-person, one-vote elections and pledged to support efforts to strengthen the country’s democratic process, the National Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission said Monday.
The officials said they were working with the electoral commission to help deliver inclusive, transparent and credible elections and return electoral power directly to voters.
The meeting was attended by ambassadors from the United States, Britain, China, Turkey, Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan and Egypt, along with representatives of the United Nations, African Union and Organization of Islamic Cooperation.
Hassan outlined the commission’s work to implement a one-person, one-vote system, including local council elections in Banadir region and simultaneous local council and House of Representatives elections in South West and Galmudug states.
He said preparations were also underway for simultaneous local council and parliamentary elections in Hirshabelle.
Hassan described the elections held so far as a significant step in Somalia’s democratic development, saying they have allowed Somalis to directly choose their representatives for the first time in nearly six decades.
The commission has presented the expansion of direct elections as a major shift from Somalia’s previous indirect electoral system, in which political representatives and clan-based delegates played a central role in selecting lawmakers and national leaders.
The international community has continued to support Somalia’s efforts to strengthen electoral institutions and expand direct participation, while political disagreements over the electoral process remain a major challenge ahead of the next round of elections.
