Somalia’s Electoral Commission Begins Issuance of Voter Cards for Banadir Polls

The distribution is part of broader preparations for the first competitive election in the region in decades.

Voter cards are being issued in Shangaani, Cabdicasiis, Shibis, Waaberi, Xamar-weyne, Xamar-Jajab, and Boondheere, which are classified as Category B districts. The remaining nine Category A districts will follow in the coming days, as previously announced by the commission.

Liban Ali Sheikh, a member of the Shangaani community, expressed his enthusiasm and thanked the Electoral Commission for its efforts to ensure a successful poll.

“Today, we are here to receive our voter cards, and I am very happy that our country is moving forward with a public election. It is a great joy for us to finally have our voices heard and to cast our votes,” he told Dawan Africa while collecting his voter card.

The voter card issuance is an essential step in the Banaadir Local Council elections, and the electoral commission has called on all political parties and voters to prepare for the upcoming democratic process.

The electoral commission also noted that political organizations have until 25 November to submit their lists of district council candidates, a deadline expected to test the preparedness of Mogadishu’s political parties and alliances.

The local elections are scheduled to take place end of this month.