Voter

MOGADISHU, Somalia — As the local council elections in Mogadishu approach, a growing unease has enveloped the city. Conversations echo with concerns about the voter registration process, casting shadows over what should ideally be a time of democratic engagement. Are these fears justified? Residents seem to think so, their voices rising above the din of daily life with tales of coercion and undue pressure. The story that unfolds here isn't just a simple narrative of numbers and dates. The heart of the issue…

The recent low voter turnout has dealt a significant blow to Italian opposition proposals aimed at reforming citizenship laws and strengthening job protection regulations. Key figures within Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's coalition noted that the outcome has bolstered the government's position. According to nearly finalized data from polling stations, only about 30% of eligible voters participated in the two-day voting period. This is well below the required 50% plus one needed for the vote to be legally binding. The…

Mogadishu (AX) – In an era where social media dominates the information landscape, it’s all too easy for mistruths to spread like wildfire. Recently, rumors have surfaced suggesting that residents of Mogadishu are being coerced into collecting their voting cards under the threat of arrest. The Somalia Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has stepped forward to clarify these claims, categorically dismissing them as unfounded. Abdikarim Ahmed Hassan, the Chairman of the Electoral Commission, has taken a firm…

In a remarkable display of civic engagement, South Koreans are queuing in record numbers to participate in the upcoming presidential election. This surge in voter turnout is largely a response to the political chaos triggered by the former leader's ill-fated declaration of martial law. The nation finds itself striving to move past months of political instability that began with Yoon Suk Yeol's suspension of civilian rule last December, an act that ultimately led to his impeachment and removal from office. As a result,…

Mogadishu (AX) – In a significant announcement that echoes the aspirations of many Somali citizens, Chairman Abdikarin Ahmed Hassan of the National Electoral Commission revealed on Thursday an extension of the voter registration period for local council elections in the Banadir region. This decision, made after thoughtful consideration, responds to the urgent need for greater public participation in the electoral process. During a press conference held at the commission's headquarters in Mogadishu, Abdikarin articulated…

Mogadishu (AX) — In a significant step towards democratic renewal, Somalia's Independent National Electoral Commission has initiated a new voter registration campaign across six additional districts in Mogadishu. This launch, which occurred on Saturday, marks a pivotal moment in preparations for the country’s first local council elections based on a one-person, one-vote system in nearly fifty years. The districts now included in this registration effort—Hodan, Howlwadaag, Kaaraan, Yaaqshiid, Warta Nabadda, and…

Somalia’s Historic Journey to One-Person, One-Vote Elections Mogadishu (AX) — This past Saturday marked a significant milestone for Somalia as the National Independent Electoral Commission announced the expansion of voter registration to three additional districts in Mogadishu. It is a pivotal moment, signaling the country’s march toward its first one-person, one-vote elections in more than half a century. The news sparked enthusiasm across the capital, with residents from Hamarweyne, Boondheere, and Shibis…

Mogadishu (AX) — In a pointed statement that resonates beyond the borders of the Gedo region, Governor Mohamed Hussein Al-Qaadi has issued a clear and firm warning to the National Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (NIEBC). His message was unequivocal: any attempt to initiate voter registration or conduct election-related activities in Gedo, without prior coordination with the Jubbaland administration, would be deemed illegitimate—and met with resistance. Speaking to local media on Wednesday, Governor Al-Qaadi…

Mogadishu (AX) — In a significant moment for Somalia, Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre, alongside Mogadishu Mayor Yusuf Hussein Jimale and a delegation of cabinet members, paid a visit to a voter registration site in the Shangani district this past Wednesday. This visit marked the official commencement of the country’s groundbreaking voter registration initiative, an endeavor that has been decades in the making. As he addressed an eager crowd, Prime Minister Barre characterized the occasion as a “victory for Somalia,”…

Somalia Embarks on Historic Voter Registration, Marking New Chapter in Democracy Mogadishu (AX) — On a warm Tuesday morning, history quietly unfolded in Mogadishu's bustling Shangani district, signaling a significant and long-awaited turning point for Somalia's democratic journey. For the first time in over half a century, hundreds of enthusiastic Somalis lined up patiently to take part in the country's inaugural voter registration campaign—a landmark step towards one-person, one-vote elections. The significance of this…