Wednesday March 26, 2025
Mogadishu (HOL) — Somalia’s electoral commission has extended the deadline for political association registration by 21 days, pushing it beyond the original March 31 cutoff as the country prepares for local elections slated for the end of June.
Commission Chair Abdikarin Ahmed Hassan announced the extension during a press conference in Mogadishu on Wednesday, citing requests from several associations that could not meet the original deadline. The extension follows consultations with both registered and pending political associations.
“We’ve spoken with both registered groups and those still completing their paperwork,” Abdikarin said. “They asked for more time, and after reviewing the request during a meeting yesterday, we agreed to add 21 days.”
The extension comes as Somalia gears up for local council elections scheduled for June 2025—part of a broader push toward implementing a one-person, one-vote electoral system. The National Independent Electoral Commission has described these polls as a stepping stone toward nationwide electoral reform.
“Our preparations for the June elections are progressing well,” Abdikarin said, reaffirming the commission’s commitment to conducting the vote on schedule.
While the commission continues to advance electoral reforms to move away from Somalia’s longstanding clan-based power-sharing model, the process has faced strong resistance. Leaders from Puntland and Jubbaland and several opposition politicians have voiced concerns over the feasibility of direct elections, citing security risks and institutional weaknesses.
Despite the challenges, the commission has reaffirmed its commitment to expanding democratic participation through universal suffrage, a move seen as pivotal to stabilizing Somalia’s fragmented political system.