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Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud on Monday officially registered as a voter in Warta-Nabadda District, encouraging citizens across the country to make use of the opportunity to secure their constitutional right to vote in the upcoming direct elections.
Speaking during his visit to the voter registration center, President Mohamud praised the efforts of the National Electoral Commission for its preparations. He described the planned shift to a one-person, one-vote system as a “long-awaited national aspiration” that is written into Somalia’s provisional constitution.
According to the president, this new system will give power back to the people, allowing them to directly choose their leaders at the federal, state, and district levels — a significant change from previous indirect voting systems.
President Mohamud also thanked Somalia’s security forces, district officials, and local communities for making the voter registration process smooth and safe.
Voter registration is currently under way in Mogadishu, Southwest State, Galmudug, and the Hirshabelle region. However, the process is facing political challenges as Jubbaland, Puntland, and several opposition groups have chosen to boycott it.
The boycott is mainly due to disagreements over recent constitutional amendments and electoral reforms, which some regional states and political figures claim were passed without proper consultation. These changes affect how elections will be conducted and how political power is shared between the federal and state governments.
In an effort to resolve the dispute, federal leaders and opposition representatives held a series of meetings last week. Despite multiple discussions, no agreement has been reached, and the political standoff continues.
The president’s public registration is being seen as both a symbolic and practical move — aimed at encouraging ordinary citizens to participate while showing confidence in the electoral process. The government hopes the new system will strengthen Somalia’s democracy and reduce political tensions by making leadership selection more transparent and inclusive.
The planned direct elections mark an important step for Somalia, which has faced decades of political instability, conflict, and governance challenges. If successful, the process could set a precedent for future polls and help establish a more stable and representative political system.
For now, the National Electoral Commission is continuing its preparations, and voter registration in participating regions is ongoing. Officials are urging eligible citizens to register early to avoid last-minute delays.
While the disagreement with Puntland, Jubbaland, and opposition groups remains unresolved, the federal government has expressed optimism that all sides can eventually find common ground for the sake of the country’s democratic progress.
As the president emphasized, this election is more than just a political event — it is a chance for Somalis to take ownership of their future by choosing leaders who reflect their needs and aspirations.