Southwest State election commission says JSP wins majority in results
According to the commission, 132,430 ballots were cast in total. Of those, 128,276 were counted as valid, representing about 97 percent, while 4,154 were declared spoiled.
Thursday May 14, 2026
Mogadishu (AX) — Somalia’s electoral commission on Thursday released the outcome of Southwest State’s unified elections, announcing that the Justice and Unity Party secured a majority in the regional House of Representatives.
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Abdikarim Ahmed Hassan, chairman of the National Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, said the May 10 vote proceeded peacefully in 13 districts across Southwest State. The elections were held to fill seats in the regional House of Representatives and elect members of local councils.
“Today, we are announcing the results of the May 10 by-elections held in the Southwest region,” Hassan said at a news conference in Baidoa.
According to the commission, 132,430 ballots were cast in total. Of those, 128,276 were counted as valid, representing about 97 percent, while 4,154 were declared spoiled.
The House of Representatives race involved 95 seats contested by 32 political organizations. The Justice and Unity Party, or JSP, emerged as the clear front-runner with 67,970 votes, equal to 53 percent of valid ballots, and captured 51 seats.
Horumar iyo Midnimo Qaran finished second with 18,667 votes and 14 seats. Karaamo followed with 14,708 votes and 11 seats.
Sincad won six seats, while Tawfiq took four. A number of smaller parties — including Waabari, Madalsan, Muwadiniinta Soomaaliyeed, Saab, Ramaas and Dhalinyarada Talo Qaran — each won one seat.
Most of the other participating parties failed to secure representation, although several still collected a few hundred votes apiece.
The results were released against the backdrop of a growing political fight in Somalia over the federal government’s plan to introduce a one-person, one-vote system. Southwest State has now become the first federal member state to conduct direct regional elections under the current process.
Leading opposition groups stayed away from the ballot, saying the federal government had imposed the process without consultation and arguing that the result had already been decided. Federal authorities and election officials have maintained that the elections are part of Somalia’s broader move away from indirect voting and toward wider public participation.
