Mogadishu Residents Vote in First One — Person, One-Vote Local Election Since 1969 Dateline: Mogadishu, Somalia — 2025-12-25 Lead Paragraph: Mogadishu residents are participating in a significant local election that marks the first one-person, one-vote poll in the country since 1969.
The voting process, organized by Somalia’s federal government, is taking place across the capital’s 16 districts and features candidates from up to 20 political parties. Despite opposition from some parties, who argue the election is flawed and biased, the event is seen as a pivotal shift from the traditional clan-based power-sharing system.
For decades, Somalia has selected local council members and parliamentarians through clan — based negotiations, with leaders ultimately electing a president.
The introduction of one — person, one-vote elections has been promised since 2016 but has been delayed by insecurity and political disputes. This election is the first major voting exercise supervised by the National Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission.
The mayor of Mogadishu, who also serves as the governor of the central Banadir region, is not elected through this process.
The position remains appointed due to the unresolved constitutional status of the capital. Mogadishu has over 900,000 registered voters, spread across 523 polling stations.
Analysts view the election as a step towards a more democratic state.
Mohamed Husein Gaas, founding director of the Raad Peace Research Institute, said the federal government is empowering citizens and strengthening accountability by moving towards direct elections.
However, opposition parties warn that the abandonment of clan — based arrangements could undermine Somalia’s fragile federal settlement.
Security has been intensified in Mogadishu ahead of the election, as the al — Qaeda-linked al-Shabab militant group has carried out deadly attacks in the past. Despite these challenges, the election is seen as a concrete attempt to move Somalia away from its clan-based power-sharing system.
The results of the election are expected to be announced in the coming days.
The success of this voting exercise could set a precedent for future elections in Somalia, potentially reshaping the country’s political landscape.
