Somali Elects

Vote counting for the South West State of Somalia elections officially began tonight at 6:00 PM East African Time on May 10, 2026, following a historic day across the region, with citizens casting their votes in both municipal and state-level elections. Long lines, high turnout, and a peaceful voting process marked a moment many Somalis described as a major step toward expanding democratic participation and local representation. @TheVillaSomalia @SomaliPM @US2SOMALIA @US_SrAdvisorAF @UKinSomalia @EU_in_Somalia @UNTMIS_ @HassanSMohamud

President of the Federal Republic of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, will shortly address the Somali people regarding the overall situation in the country, including the peaceful one-person-one-vote elections held this morning across areas of the South West State, the security situation in Mogadishu, and the consultative dialogue initiative extended by the government to political stakeholders.

“As a member of the Federal Parliament of Somalia, I cast my vote in Afgooye district,” said the Special Presidential Envoy for Preventing and Countering Violent Extremist Ideology, MP Aweys Mohamed Omar, after participating in the ongoing #Elections in #Southwest State of #Somalia.

Sheikh Adan Madobe has cast his vote in South West State (KGS) and delivered a strong message to the people: “Elect the leader you believe can guide you to safety and salvation.” Polls remain open as residents make their choice.

An 84-year-old father cast his vote this morning in El-Barde district, joining residents taking part in the integrated elections in #Southwest State of #Somalia.

“Today, the Somali people have emerged from political darkness and moved into political light.” — Minister of Ports and Marine Transport of the Federal Government of #Somalia @Amohamednur.

#Somali Ambassador @IlyasAliHassan issued a rallying call to voters across South West State on Sunday, urging citizens to turn out in large numbers as polling continued in the regional elections. Speaking after casting his ballot, he described voting as “a powerful expression of public will and encouraged communities to play an active role in shaping the region’s political direction.

Somali Minister of Ports and Marine Transport Abdulkadir Mohamed Nur stood in line alongside 30,000 people to cast his vote in the city of Wajid in South West State. Somalia’s celebration of democracy continues. @Amohamednur

History has been made as voters begin to cast their ballots in 13 districts of Somalia’s Southwest State to elect representatives to the regional parliament and local councillors. The elections mark a significant step towards strengthening democracy and governance in the state. #Somalia

#Somalia’s #SouthWest State presidential candidate @AadanMadobe cast his vote on Sunday as direct local council and parliamentary elections opened across major towns in the region. Poll officials say the polls are part of efforts to expand grassroots representation and strengthen the democratic process.

Somalia’s JSP party campaign in Baidoa is gaining serious momentum, and the city is energized . Even though JSP has managed to bring a lot of people together. But still, many are not convinced that the movement will attract such strong voter turnout and support.

Somalia’s JSP party campaign in Baidoa is gaining serious momentum, and the city is energized . Even though JSP has managed to bring a lot of people together. But still, many are not convinced that the movement will attract such strong voter turnout and support.

A delegation led by Ports Minister @Amohamednur arrived in Waajid to advance direct election preparations. The Minister thanked the community for their warm welcome and confirmed that consultations with local elders and leaders will continue.

In #Baidoa, #Somalia’s House of People speaker @AadanMadobe was on Friday officially unveiled as the ruling Justice and Solidarity Party’s presidential candidate for South West State, in a high-profile ceremony attended by senior federal and regional leaders, party elites, and influential community figures, underscoring the growing political momentum ahead of the election.

Somali National Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (NIEBC) has officially launched voter registration in Wargalo, Mudug region. Deputy commissioner of the Somali Football federation Abdirishid Jorjo participated in the registration drive today, urging all residents to secure their voting rights.

Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud participated in a JSP leadership meeting where the electoral campaign for the country’s districts was being discussed.

Scenes like this would have been unimaginable in Baidoa just days ago. Today, citizens and political leaders are stepping forward to register, marking a powerful shift toward direct democratic participation. We commend the politicians and residents of Baidoa, South West State, Somalia who have chosen to take part in the voter registration process. This is a clear sign of growing public trust and commitment to shaping Somalia’s future. The only path to sustainable progress and national unity is to empower citizens with the right to choose their own leaders. No to political hijacking. No to indirect elections. Yes to #OnePersonOneVote

Somalia has reached a major milestone in its transition to a “one person, one vote” system for the first time in decades. Voter registration is now underway across the country as preparations accelerate for direct public participation in elections. Officials emphasize that this process represents the restoration of long-denied democratic rights for the Somali people, urging citizens to take part in the registration process. With this shift, Somalia aims to move away from a clan-based indirect voting model toward a more inclusive and transparent democratic system. #SomaliElects #OnePersonOneVote

President of the Federal Republic of Somalia (JFS), who is also the Chairman of the Justice and Solidarity Party, chaired a meeting of the party’s Executive Committee, where the political situation and the party’s future plans were discussed in depth. @HassanSMohamud

Somalia’s central government said late on Sunday that the mandate of South West State’s president and administration had officially expired as tensions between the two sides continue to escalate. trtafrika.com/english/articl…