By Abukar Osman - Reporter
Somalia, 3 April 2026 — Somalia’s opposition supports a one-person, one-vote election system but insists it must be built on broad political consensus, politician Abdirahman Ceynte has said.
Speaking on Dawan Media’s Miizaan Podcast, Ceynte said the opposition is not rejecting direct elections, but is calling for an agreed framework involving all political stakeholders.
“We want one-person, one-vote elections, but Somalia’s elections must be negotiated and agreed upon,” he said.
He outlined three key conditions: that the process be consensus-based, that voter participation be expanded, and that a neutral and credible electoral commission be established.
Ceynte also stressed the need for jointly approved electoral laws and financing, noting that no formal election budget has yet been presented to parliament.
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“If these elements are in place, the country can achieve an election that the public accepts and that is of higher quality than previous ones,” he said.
He warned that a lack of agreement could lead to disputes over election results, potentially undermining stability.
Ceynte added that the opposition has prepared a detailed proposal outlining its electoral vision, aimed at delivering a credible and inclusive process.
The remarks come as political divisions deepen over Somalia’s electoral model, with disagreements persisting between the government and opposition on how elections should be conducted.