MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia’s federal government on Wednesday intensified security across Mogadishu ahead of a disputed Banadir local council election set for Thursday, June 25, deploying police and other forces along major roads and at key sites to safeguard the vote, officials said.
Uniformed personnel were stationed on routes linking government facilities and around designated polling locations. Authorities said the measures are designed to protect the public and ensure the election proceeds without disruption in the capital.
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The ramped-up posture followed a late Tuesday security meeting between senior police commanders and election officials focused on coordinating protection for polling sites and strengthening rapid response arrangements in the event of any incidents.
The Banadir poll — which covers Mogadishu — will be conducted under an indirect system, with voters selecting among political parties and organizations rather than individual candidates. Election preparations were in their final stages across the city’s districts on Wednesday, according to officials involved in the process.
To further tighten security and manage movement on election day, authorities announced temporary restrictions that will affect both road and air traffic. The government said the steps are intended to concentrate resources where needed and minimize risks around polling areas.
Key measures include:
- Expanded deployment of police and other security forces along major corridors and around polling locations in Mogadishu.
- Temporary restrictions on vehicle traffic on some main roads during the voting period.
- A brief suspension of flights to and from Aden Adde International Airport on election day.
- Reinforced rapid response arrangements to address potential disturbances swiftly.
Officials emphasized that the security plan is preventative and calibrated to support the smooth conduct of the vote. They urged residents to follow guidance on road access and travel timing during the election period and to comply with instructions from security personnel stationed across the city.
The local council vote in Banadir comes amid heightened political attention and public scrutiny, with authorities portraying the deployment as a necessary step to maintain order and protect the electoral process in the capital. No further details on the dispute over the election were immediately available from officials.
Additional updates on traffic controls and flight operations are expected from relevant agencies as election day progresses.
By Ali Musa
Axadle Times international–Monitoring.
