voting

Somalia has used an indirect election system, built around clan and delegate representation, for much of the past two decades. Under this approach, national leadership is chosen through layers of representation rather than direct ballots cast by the public. Somali lawmakers and political leaders are now debating a shift toward direct voting and "one person, one vote" universal suffrage. This explainer sets out the difference between Somalia's indirect system and direct voting, what the change would mean, and why the…

MOGADISHU — Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud has launched a forceful defense of one-person, one-vote elections, rejecting calls for a return to indirect voting and arguing that the country has already moved past the old approach. Speaking to the nation, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud said past understandings have already laid out the electoral roadmap, including how committees should be formed and what rules should govern the process. He added that some politicians have chosen to step away from commitments they signed. “If you…

MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somalia’s voting system has long relied on indirect, clan-based selection of lawmakers who then choose the country’s president, a model that leaders and international partners have repeatedly said they want to replace with “one person, one vote” elections. Somalia has not held a nationwide direct election for decades, with insecurity and political disputes cited by Somali officials, analysts and international partners as major obstacles to broader voting. How national leaders are chosen now Under…

Portugal votes in presidential run-off as storms batter country; far right’s Ventura trails Socialist Seguro Portugal began voting Sunday in the second round of a presidential election overshadowed by powerful Atlantic storms, with far-right leader Andre Ventura facing Socialist candidate Antonio Jose Seguro in a run-off closely watched for the far right’s share of the vote. Polling stations opened at 8 a.m., with about 11 million voters at home and abroad eligible to cast ballots. First exit polls are expected around 8 p.m.…

Wednesday January 14, 2026 MOGADISHU — Somalia’s first direct local council elections in Mogadishu in nearly 60 years were peaceful and orderly, but they unfolded amid a surge of misinformation and political bias, according to a report released Wednesday by the National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ). The Election Observation and Media Monitoring Report reviewed the Banadir local council vote held Dec. 25, 2025, drawing on structured monitoring from Nov. 1 to Dec. 30. NUSOJ called the exercise a historic milestone,…

Somali president opens door to talks as Mogadishu holds first one-person, one-vote polls in decades Hassan Sheikh Mohamud says “all doors are open” for dialogue with opposition over Somalia’s electoral process Banadir Regional Council elections mark Mogadishu’s first direct vote in more than 50 years Citywide lockdown and flight suspensions imposed as security forces secure polling MOGADISHU, Somalia — Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud pledged open dialogue with opposition leaders on Thursday and hailed Mogadishu’s…

Somalia’s Political Turmoil: A Threatened Stability Amid Al-Shabaab Resurgence MOGADISHU, SOMALIA — In a country where shadows loom large, the specter of Al-Shabaab has once again taken root, troubling citizens and alarmingly opposition leaders alike. President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud faces accusations of negligence as opposition figures blame the government’s preoccupation with constitutional revisions for the destabilization currently gripping the nation. These concerns echo the compelling narratives of a battered society,…

Mogadishu (AX) — Get ready, folks! The Banadir region’s two-decade-long dream of conducting one-person, one-vote elections is finally taking shape, with the spotlight set on 2026. Deputy Commissioner of Security and Politics, Mohamed Ahmed Diriye Yabooh, dished out some timely info. In a buzzing address from Mogadishu on Thursday, Yabooh shared that the wheels are in motion for a transformative election. From pinpointing where those ballot boxes will stand to amping up the capital's security, actions speak louder than…

Mogadishu (AX) — Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud reaffirmed his commitment to reform the country's electoral system, aiming for universal suffrage by 2026. During a celebration of King Charles III's birthday in Mogadishu, President Mohamud stressed the significance of democratic elections in bolstering government effectiveness and fueling national growth. Quoting the President, "Elections are the cornerstone of democracy, built on the Somali people's will. Our government is committed to ensuring Somalis take an…

In an important move for Somalia, the nation's two-chamber parliament gave the nod to essential electoral laws on Monday. These regulations, covering election procedures, political parties, and organizations, as well as the foundation of an electoral commission, came to life. Minister of Interior, Ali Yusuf Ali Hoosh, brought these laws to the table. All 170 lawmakers in attendance said yes, in unison. As reported by Sadia Yassin Haji Samatar, the House of the People's second Deputy Speaker, the measures sailed through with…