Somalia’s Electoral Body Sets Date for South West Regional Elections

By Abdullahi Salad - Reporter

Somalia, 6 April 2026 Somalia’s National Independent and Boundaries Commission announced Monday that combined regional parliamentary and local council elections will be held in South West state on April 28, marking another step towards expanding direct voting in the country.

The commission’s chairman, Abdikarim Ahmed Hassan, announced the date during a visit to Baidoa, the interim administrative capital of South West state, saying the polls will be held across multiple districts.

The elections will take place in 11 districts across the Bay, Bakool and Lower Shabelle regions, including Bardale, Baidoa, Qansahdhere, Dinsor and Burhakaba in Bay; Huddur and Wajid in Bakool; and Wanlaweyn, Afgooye, Baraawe and Marka in Lower Shabelle, the commission said.

The official also said voter registration would be reopened in Baidoa and Huddur for 10 days following requests from political parties to allow more residents to register ahead of the vote.

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“April 28 has been designated as the day for the combined elections, which include both the South West regional parliament and district council polls,” the chairman said.

The commission said the initiative is part of broader efforts to expand one-person one-vote elections beyond Mogadishu, where local council elections were recently completed.

Political parties were urged to mobilise supporters and submit candidates to ensure broad participation in the polls.

The announcement comes amid administrative changes in South West State including the appointment of an interim leader by the federal government following the resignation of the regional president.