Somalia’s forces enforce door-to-door voter registration in Mogadishu ahead of historic polls
Local media reports indicate that in addition to house-to-house visits, residents are being stopped in public spaces, including markets and bus stations, and forced to prove they've registered for the polls.
Somalia's security forces have begun a forceful door-to-door campaign in Mogadishu, pressuring residents to register for the upcoming elections — the country's first attempt at a one-person, one-vote system in more than 50 years.
Local media reports indicate that in addition to house-to-house visits, residents are being stopped in public spaces, including markets and bus stations, and forced to prove they've registered for the polls.
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Those who haven't are reportedly being taken directly to registration centres by armed personnel.
The campaign has sparked intense backlash, with some citizens expressing their defiance by destroying their voter cards, footage of which has been widely shared across social media platforms.
"Somalia's security forces have begun going door-to-door in Mogadishu, ordering residents to come out and forcibly register for a unilateral one-person, one-vote election. People are also being rounded up on the streets," The Somali Guardian said in a statement on X on Wednesday.
The voter registration drive, which commenced on April 13, 2025, has intensified in recent weeks as authorities push to meet targets ahead of local elections scheduled for June 30, 2025.
Change clan-based voting
The polls will mark a significant shift from Somalia's longstanding clan-based voting system, with the government aiming to hold local elections in June 2025, followed by presidential elections in 2026, under a universal suffrage model.
The move is part of President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud's broader plan to strengthen democratic institutions and promote political inclusivity.
However, the rollout has drawn fierce criticism from opposition figures, civil society groups, and regional leaders.
Former President Sharif Sheikh Ahmed is among those accusing the government of intimidating citizens and undermining public trust in the process.
"It is unacceptable for the government to use force against citizens and impose participation in a process that lacks consensus among political stakeholders," Sharif said in a statement in late May.
Puntland rejects federal plan
On the other hand, Puntland, Somalia's semi-autonomous northeastern state, has rejected the federal electoral plan altogether, refusing to take part in the voter registration process.
Puntland, the most influential of Somalia's five federal member states, has operated as an autonomous region since proclaiming self-governance in 1998.
Officials in Puntland say they were not adequately consulted and accuse the federal government of centralising power at the expense of regional autonomy.
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