By Mohamed Mahamud - Reporter
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MOGADISHU, (Dawan Africa), July 23, 2026 – The Somali Non-State Actors group, SONSA, has proposed an interim electoral model which voters would directly elect candidates contesting parliamentary seats, with voting taking place in constituencies agreed upon by political stakeholders.
In a statement, SONSA said the model could operate within a political party system while allowing citizens to vote for an individual parliamentary candidate rather than casting their ballots solely for a political party.
The coalition said the proposal could provide a compromise solution to the political dispute surrounding the country’s electoral process while ensuring inclusive representation and an election that commands public confidence.
SONSA also called for federal member states to play a significant role in organising and implementing the election, particularly in coordinating electoral activities and providing security at polling stations.
It further called for the establishment of an independent mechanism to address electoral complaints and disputes, alongside greater transparency in voter registration, polling, vote counting and the announcement of results.
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The coalition recommended that political stakeholders reach an agreement on the women’s quota and the representation of communities that remain underrepresented in politics. It also proposed measures to guarantee political representation for persons with disabilities.
SONSA’s proposal is similar to a plan presented on July 8 by the Somali National Unity Council, led by former Prime Minister Omar Abdirashid Ali Sharmarke. The council proposed that members of the House of the People be directly elected by voters in different constituencies, with candidates contesting under a political party system.
SONSA concluded by calling on the federal government, federal member states, opposition groups and other political stakeholders to reach an inclusive electoral agreement through dialogue, warning that failure to do so could deepen political divisions and produce an election lacking broad public confidence.
Somalia’s civil society coalition SONSA has proposed an interim electoral model allowing voters to directly elect individual candidates for the House of the People in agreed constituencies, calling it a possible compromise to resolve the country’s electoral dispute.