Thursday September 18, 2025
Mogadishu (HOL) – Somali Prime Minister Hamse Abdi Barre has
announced on Wednesday that voter registration for the upcoming one-person,
one-vote elections in Jubbaland will begin soon.
Barre reaffirmed that federal member states are currently
engaged in voter registration drives in preparation for the landmark local
government elections scheduled for October 2025. He described the exercise as a
vital step toward guaranteeing Somali citizens their constitutional right to
cast ballots.
“Jubbaland will soon begin voter registration so that the
people of the region can exercise their right to vote,” the Prime Minister
said.
The federal government views the elections as central to
building local government institutions, advancing good governance, and
strengthening Somalia’s democratic system.
Prime Minister Barre underscored his government’s commitment
to ensuring that citizens in Jubbaland are given the opportunity to vote,
reflecting broader efforts to promote state-building and political stability.
However, Jubbaland and federal authorities remain at odds
over political disputes, raising questions about how the registration process
will unfold. In addition, opposition groups and Puntland state have rejected
the current registration drive, accusing the federal government of acting
unilaterally.