By Mohamed Ahmed Amir - Former governor of Banadir Region and former mayor of Mogadishu
“No electoral system is perfect, but the best one is the one that serves the people—not politicians or party leaders” - Mohamed Ahmed Amir
When discussing Somalia’s electoral system, three models are most commonly compared:
Proportional Representation (PR), First-Past-the-Post (FPTP), and the Closed List system. Each has its own advantages and challenges, and no electoral system is perfect. The most important question is to choose the system that best suits Somalia’s current circumstances.
Example: Assume that parliament has 100 seats and the election results are as follows:
● Party A: 40%
● Party B: 35%
● Party C: 25%
A. Proportional Representation (PR)#
Under this system, parliamentary seats are allocated according to the percentage of votes each party receives. Accordingly, Party A would receive 40 seats, Party B would receive 35 seats, and Party C would receive 25 seats, reflecting the proportion of votes cast by the public.
This system ensures that every vote carries weight and allows smaller parties and diverse political views to gain representation.
Advantages#
The Proportional Representation (PR) system ensures that parliamentary seats closely reflect the votes cast. It gives smaller parties and different political groups an opportunity to gain representation. In addition, most votes are not wasted.
Disadvantages#
However, this system often does not produce a single party with enough seats to form a government on its own, making coalition governments necessary. Major decisions may require lengthy negotiations, and if one party withdraws from the coalition, the government may collapse, leading either to the formation of a new government or the holding of another election.
B. First-Past-the-Post (FPTP)#
Under this system, the country is divided into electoral constituencies, and the candidate or party receiving the highest number of votes in each constituency wins the seat, even if they do not secure an absolute majority.
In this example, if there is no legal requirement for a party to obtain 45% or 50%+1 of the vote, Party A, with only 40% of the national vote, could still become the governing party.
Advantages#
The First-Past-the-Post (FPTP) system creates a direct relationship between voters and their constituency representative because elected members can easily be held accountable by the people who elected them. It also tends to produce governments with a clear parliamentary majority, making decision-making easier.
Disadvantages#
However, the First-Past-the-Post (FPTP) system can result in many votes being wasted, allowing a party that receives less than half of the total public vote to control the government.
In this example, if Party A forms the government with 40% of the vote, the votes cast for Party B (35%) and Party C (25%)—which together account for 60% of the electorate—may not be adequately reflected in parliament. As a result, parliamentary representation may fail to accurately reflect the overall will of the voters.
C. Closed List#
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The Closed List system is a form of Proportional Representation (PR). Under this model, voters cast their ballots only for a political party rather than for individual candidates.
The party leadership determines the ranking of candidates on the party list, and those placed highest on the list receive parliamentary seats.
For example, Ali may receive more public support than Caasho, but if the party leadership places Caasho higher on the party list, she will receive the parliamentary seat instead. This demonstrates that the public’s vote does not determine which individual candidate from the party ultimately enters parliament.
Advantages#
The Closed List system is simple and easy to administer. It allows party leaders to determine who is elected. It can also help political parties increase the representation of women and minority groups by adjusting the order of candidates on the party list.
Disadvantages#
However, party leaders hold considerable power in deciding who enters parliament. This may encourage members of parliament to prioritize the wishes of party leaders rather than serving the public, since their future inclusion on the party list depends on party leadership.
Consequently, it may weaken the independence of elected representatives and reduce their accountability to the electorate. Voters also cannot choose the individual candidate they believe is most capable of representing the public interest.
What Is Most Suitable for Somalia?#
The question is not how to find an electoral system without flaws. Rather, it is how to build a system that balances three essential objectives:
● Fair representation, so that every vote has equal value.
● Stable government, so that governments are capable of making effective decisions.
● Accountability, so that members of parliament serve the people rather than only their party leadership.
To achieve this, Somalia should consider ensuring that every vote carries equal value, that members of parliament are directly accountable to the public, that governments are stable and capable of governing effectively, and that political parties are required to practice internal democracy so that party leaders alone cannot determine who represents the people.
Somalia should also consider adopting an Open List system or a Mixed Electoral System, which combines the advantages of both Proportional Representation (PR) and First-Past-the-Post (FPTP). These systems give voters the power to choose their preferred candidates while also ensuring that parliamentary seats fairly reflect the votes cast.
It is also worth noting that in Somalia’s last three elections, electoral power did not rest with the public. Instead, it was exercised by traditional elders, the presidents of the Federal Member States, and the Federal Government, which remained behind the process.
In conclusion, we all agree that an electoral system must serve the people—not politicians or party leaders. The ultimate objective is for Somalia to establish an electoral system that combines fair representation, stable government, and members of parliament who are genuinely accountable to voters. That is the foundation of a sustainable democracy and a trustworthy system of governance.
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Mohamed Ahmed Amir is the former governor of Banadir Region and former mayor of Mogadishu
Email: mamiir@gmail.com
The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of Dawan Africa.