Nearly one million voters registered in Benadir region ahead of Somalia’s upcoming election

Somalia’s National Independent Electoral Commission announced on Sunday that nearly one million people have registered to vote in the Benadir region, marking a significant milestone ahead of the country’s upcoming election.

According to the commission, 923,220 citizens registered through 56 voter registration centers established across the region’s 16 districts, an effort aimed at ensuring broad participation.

“The registration process in Benadir has been smooth, and the turnout demonstrates the growing public interest in shaping the country’s future,” said Chairman Abdikarin Ahmed, who also confirmed that the elections are scheduled to take place next month.

The chairman urged authorities to allow political organizations to conduct their campaigns freely and transparently in preparation for the polls.

However, opposition groups and two federal member states Puntland and Jubbaland have declared they will boycott the elections, accusing the federal government of managing the process unilaterally and undermining consensus-based electoral principles.

The upcoming election is expected to be a critical test for Somalia’s democratic process as it seeks to expand political participation and strengthen national institutions.