By Asha Elmi - Reporter
Somalia, July 17, 2026 – Somalia’s electoral commission on Friday urged political parties contesting local council elections in Galmudug state to comply with the required quota for women when submitting their candidate lists.
In an urgent notice, the commission said women must account for at least 30% of candidates for the seats being contested in district councils.
The electoral body said political parties were responsible for ensuring that their nomination lists complied with the electoral law before being submitted for approval.
It added that it would verify candidate lists and oversee implementation of the quota as part of its legal mandate to supervise the electoral process.
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The commission warned that political parties should complete the required procedures and confirm that the women’s quota had been met before presenting their nominations.
The directive comes as preparations continue for local council elections in Galmudug, one of Somalia’s federal member states.
Successive Somali governments have pledged to increase women's participation in politics, although the 30% quota has often fallen short of full implementation in previous electoral processes.