Saturday December 13, 2025
Officials from the National Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (NIEBC) inspect and distribute voter cards at a registration center in the Banadir region on Saturday, as preparations intensify ahead of the Dec. 25 local council elections. CREDIT/ SONNA
Mogadishu (HOL) — Nearly 200,000 registered voters in Banadir have received their official voting cards ahead of the Dec. 25 local council elections, the National Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (NIEBC) said Saturday, easing rising concerns that delays could prevent many residents from casting ballots.
The Banadir elections mark the first time Mogadishu residents will directly elect their local council and mayor, a process the electoral commission has described as historic. In August, the commission confirmed that nearly one million Mogadishu residents had registered to vote in the one-person-one-vote system. However, setbacks in the card distribution process and repeated scheduling adjustments had fueled fears that large numbers of eligible voters would be left out. The commission said most complaints have now been resolved, though some registrants are still waiting for their cards.
To reduce barriers to participation, the commission announced it would provide free transportation on election day, prioritizing voters with disabilities, older residents, and anyone who may struggle to reach polling stations.
“We have arranged dedicated vehicles and additional support for all voters who need assistance,” Hassan said.
Concerns about access to voter services have also been raised at the district level. On Dec. 4, the commission issued a warning letter to Banadir district administrations, ordering officials to ensure a free campaign environment and to facilitate, rather than obstruct, the collection of voter cards. The directive reminded administrators that interference with campaign activities or actions that hinder voter card access would not be tolerated.
The Banadir vote has already faced repeated postponements. On Nov. 30, the commission formally set Dec. 25 as the election date, though uncertainty has persisted because national leaders and opposition groups have not reached full agreement on the broader electoral calendar, including the general elections scheduled for 2026. Several political organizations have criticized the commission’s management of the process, arguing that it lacks full independence.
Despite delays and administrative challenges, the commission confirmed that the election will proceed as scheduled and urged Banadir residents to participate.
Twenty political organizations have submitted candidate lists for the Banadir elections, according to the commission. Although 61 organizations initially registered earlier in the year, only 20 met the final submission deadline following a two-week extension. The reduction has reshaped the political landscape of the contest and narrowed the field of competing groups.