Soohoyde

Mogadishu – The National Independent Electoral Commission of Somalia has officially announced an extension to the voter registration period for the one-person, one-vote elections currently underway in the Banadir region.

The Commission’s Chairperson, Mr. Cabdirakiin Axmed Xasan, stated during a press briefing held in Mogadishu on May 15, 2025, that the commission has decided to extend the registration period by one month. The registration process originally began on April 15 of this year.

According to the Chairperson, the primary reason for the extension is the staggered start of registration across the various districts in Banadir. This has created the need to provide additional time for citizens in all districts to register fairly and equally.

He also announced that voter registration is expected to begin soon in Jubaland, specifically in the Gedo region, marking an expansion of the electoral process to other parts of the country.

This decision comes as the Electoral Commission previously confirmed that 30 political organizations have formally registered with the commission, concluding the registration phase for political parties eligible to contest in the upcoming elections.