Mogadishu races to deliver voter cards as Dec. 25 Banadir local elections near
MOGADISHU — Nearly 200,000 registered voters in Banadir have received official voting cards ahead of the Dec. 25 local council elections, Somalia’s National Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (NIEBC) said Saturday, easing fears that delays could keep many Mogadishu residents from the polls.
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The vote will be the first time Mogadishu residents directly elect their local council and mayor — a milestone the commission has called historic. In August, NIEBC said nearly one million residents registered to vote under the one-person, one-vote system. But a slow card distribution rollout, shifting schedules and administrative bottlenecks fueled anxiety that thousands of eligible voters would be left out.
NIEBC Chairman Abdikarim Ahmed Hassan said the commission is working to complete remaining distributions before election day. Under current rules, only individuals holding official voter cards may cast a ballot. Asked whether voters with temporary registration certificates could be allowed to vote if they have not yet received cards, Hassan said the commission cannot make that decision alone. He noted that parties could jointly agree to accommodate those voters, and the commission would implement such a decision if one is reached.
To reduce barriers to participation, the commission said it will provide free transportation on election day to help people reach polling stations, prioritizing those who may face mobility or access challenges.
- Voters with disabilities
- Older residents
- 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 surfaced 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, not obstruct, the collection of voter cards. The directive reminded administrators that interference with campaign activities or any action that hinders access to cards would not be tolerated.
The Banadir vote has faced repeated postponements this year. On Nov. 30, the commission formally set Dec. 25 as the election date. Uncertainty has persisted, however, as national leaders and opposition groups have yet to reach full agreement on the broader electoral calendar, including general elections slated for 2026. Several political organizations have criticized the commission’s management of the process and questioned its independence, adding to public skepticism about timelines and procedures.
Despite delays and disputes, the commission has maintained that the Banadir elections will proceed as scheduled and urged residents to turn out in large numbers. Officials said most complaints tied to card distribution had been resolved, though some registrants are still waiting for their cards and are being directed to designated pick-up centers.
Competition on the ballot has narrowed. Twenty political organizations submitted candidate lists for the Banadir elections, according to the commission. Although 61 groups initially registered earlier this year, only 20 met the final submission deadline after a two-week extension — a consolidation that will shape the race and reduce the number of logos voters encounter on campaign materials and at polling places.
For the commission, the final stretch will focus on finishing distributions, keeping campaign space open and making polling stations accessible. For voters, the priority is more straightforward: get the card in hand before Dec. 25.
By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
Saturday December 13, 2025
