By Asha Elmi - Reporter
Jowhar, 28 August 2026 — Somalia's electoral commission has designated 12 districts in Hirshabelle for combined local council and state parliament elections, it said Thursday.
The six districts in Hiran are Beletweyne, Jalalaqsi, Buulo Burde, Matabaan, Jawiil and Farlibah. In Middle Shabelle they are Jowhar, Balcad, Warsheekh, Adale, Mahaday and Rage Elle.
The move is part of preparations for a shift to direct, one-person, one-vote elections for local and state representatives.
The commission had scheduled the Hirshabelle vote for Aug. 20 but postponed it, saying voter registration was still under way in four Hiran districts and political organizations needed more time to submit candidate lists.
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It said it would issue a revised timetable.
The announcement comes as Somalia expands direct elections. South West held combined local and state elections May 10 across 13 districts, with 132,430 voters casting ballots, according to officials. The Supreme Court later ratified the results.
Galmudug held similar polls July 30 across 11 districts, with 197,971 voters, according to the commission. The Supreme Court annulled those results Aug. 24, citing serious irregularities, and ordered a new vote.
Mogadishu held local council elections in December 2025 in 16 of its 20 districts, electing 390 councillors.