MOGADISHU, Somalia – Somalia’s parliament on Monday passed a series of electoral laws designed to overhaul the country’s voting system, moving towards universal suffrage as per the National Consultative Council’s (NCC) roadmap.
The legislation, proposed by Interior Minister Ali Yusuf Ali Hoosh, was approved by all 170 lawmakers in attendance. Second Deputy Speaker Sadia Yassin Haji Samatar confirmed the unanimous vote, noting no opposition or abstentions.
These laws are part of an NCC initiative for a unified electoral framework across Somalia, aiming for broader democratic participation. The package includes regulations for elections, the management of parties and political groups, and the formation of an electoral commission.
In preparation, a parliamentary committee tasked with drafting these laws selected former Deputy Prime Minister Mahdi Guled as its leader and Senator Iftin Hassan Iman Baasto as his deputy two days earlier. Their roles are critical in organizing the upcoming electoral schedule, which plans for local, regional, and municipal polls in June 2025, with national parliamentary and presidential elections to follow in September.
The Ministry of Interior has pressed regional states, notably Jubbaland, to comply with the NCC agreements, highlighting the significance of a consistent electoral system for national cohesion and governance.
HORN LIFE
