By Asha Elmi - Reporter
Mogadishu (Dawan Africa) – Somalia’s National Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (NIEBC) has announced the reopening of voter registration between September 9 and 30, 2025, giving newly registered political parties and their supporters a chance to participate ahead of upcoming elections.
NIEBC Chairman Abdikarin Ahmed Hassan made the announcement on Saturday while presiding over a ceremony certifying 14 newly registered political parties. “We will reopen public registration from September 9 until the 30th of this month, so that the newly registered parties have the opportunity to register themselves, their politicians, and their supporters,” he said.
The Commission explained that the move is intended to allow new political associations to mobilize and formally register their members. This decision follows the recent agreement between the federal government and sections of the opposition, which endorsed the government’s electoral framework in exchange for a fresh registration window.
The earlier voter registration exercise in Banadir, which ran for four months, concluded on August 15. At the time, the Commission had set a target of 812,000 registered voters, though nearly one million people reportedly signed up, according to officials.
Observers note that while the reopening allows broader political participation, it may also affect the electoral calendar. Banadir local council elections are scheduled for October 30, 2025, and the Commission will need to ensure the new registration period does not delay planned polls.
The announcement marks a critical moment in Somalia’s push to expand political participation and implement a credible, inclusive electoral process.
