By Zakaria Hassan - Reporter
Somalia, July 30 2026 – More than 270,000 registered voters are expected to vote across Somalia’s Galmudug State on Thursday to elect local councillors and members of House of Representatives in simultaneous direct elections.
The National Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission said on Wednesday 270,737 people had registered to vote across the state, with ballots being cast at 240 polling stations.
A total of 35 political parties previously approved by the commission are taking part in the elections, although the number of parties fielding candidates differs between the two contests.
The commission said 16 political parties had nominated 924 candidates to contest 243 local council seats. The candidates include 726 men and 198 women.
For the Galmudug House of Representatives, 12 political parties fielded 349 candidates for 89 seats, comprising 293 men and 56 women.
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Galkacyo recorded the highest number of registered voters, with 65,950, followed by Caabudwaaq with 48,358, Hobyo with 37,734, Cadaado with 33,679, Dhuusamareeb with 23,735 and Guriceel with 22,011, according to commission figures.
Registration was also completed in Ceeldheer, Xarardheere, Xeraale, Balanbale and Galcad/Masagawaay.
The Galmudug vote is the third election of its kind held under Somalia’s expanding one-person, one-vote system, following earlier direct elections in the Banadir region and South West state.
The federal government says the process is part of efforts to replace Somalia’s long-standing indirect electoral model with direct voting, although some political stakeholders continue to dispute the legal framework and implementation of the reforms.