By Asha Elmi - Reporter
Mogadishu, 24 August 2026 — Somalia’s Supreme Court on Monday annulled results of elections for the Galmudug parliament and local councils.
Chief Justice Baashe Yusuf Ahmed, reading the ruling, said the elections were not administered in accordance with the constitution and election laws, rendering the results invalid.
Violations during the process caused “significant damage to the independence, freedom and fairness of the elections and had affected their outcome,” he said.
The court ordered the National Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission to hold new elections at the earliest reasonable opportunity, in line with the constitution, election laws and legislation governing political parties.
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The new polls must uphold citizens’ right to direct, free and fair elections, it said.
Existing institutions in Galmudug will remain in office until replaced by officials elected through new polls conducted in accordance with the law, citing the need to protect public interests, administrative continuity and stability of public services.
Each party will bear its own legal costs, the court ruled.