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Hirshabelle parliament sworn in after historic direct elections in Jowhar, marking a landmark moment in the state’s transition toward one-person, one-vote democratic governance. The official swearing-in ceremony seated 99 newly elected members of the regional House of Representatives following direct polls conducted across ten administrative districts. Administered by judicial authorities in the presence of senior members from the National Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, the formal oath of office inaugurates the new legislative assembly and sets in motion the official timetable to select the region’s permanent parliamentary leadership and executive officers.
The inauguration of the legislative assembly follows the formal certification of election results by the Federal Supreme Court, which verified that the voting exercise satisfied all administrative and legal standards. According to certified returns released by electoral administrators, over 114,000 voters cast ballots in the regional parliamentary exercise, with 13 registered political organizations competing for assembly representation. The ruling Justice and Unity Party achieved a dominant legislative majority by securing 78 out of the 99 parliamentary seats, while opposition and independent political groups filled the remaining positions.
With the assembly officially constituted, parliamentarians are advancing into their immediate constitutional duties, starting with the election of the parliamentary speaker and deputy speakers. Electoral timelines established by the commission outline candidate registration and platform presentations, leading directly into the parliamentary leadership vote. Following the election of the legislative bureau, the assembly will convene to hear presidential candidate platforms and elect the next regional state president and vice president to lead the regional administration.
Civic leaders and international observers have lauded the direct election as a vital victory for popular suffrage and institutional maturation across Somalia’s federal member states. Regional election administrators commended voters and local security forces for maintaining peace throughout the electoral process, underscoring that expanding universal franchise strengthens administrative legitimacy and civic participation. Hirshabelle parliament sworn in after historic direct elections, signaling continuous momentum in institutionalizing direct democratic elections and strengthening transparent governance across the country.