Mogadishu votes after 57 years: Historic district elections mark shift to people’s power

For the first time in almost 57 years, people living in Mogadishu are preparing to take part in a vote that will allow them to directly choose members of district councils, a process that the President of Somalia, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, has said marks a change in the way political power is exercised in the capital and across the country.

Speaking before the Banadir district council elections, President Hassan called on residents to take part in the vote by turning out in large numbers and using their ballots to select representatives who will speak on their behalf and take part in decisions that affect daily life as well as the future direction of governance.

He said the process places responsibility in the hands of citizens and creates a system where authority comes from the people rather than from selection by a small group or appointment through other means.

The President said the elections represent a step that cannot be reversed, explaining that the use of the ballot gives citizens the right to decide who governs them and how power is exercised in their communities.

He said participation in the vote gives people the chance to recognise those who have shown the ability to serve and to reject those who fail to meet expectations, adding that leadership should be based on clear standards rather than pressure or influence.

“You choose who will rule you, and you leave the one who is not worthy,” he said, while urging voters to base their choices on merit, experience, capability, and responsibility toward society.

Campaign period

President Hassan also spoke about the campaign period, warning that it would include many promises and assurances from candidates seeking office, and he stressed that the role of citizens does not end on voting day. He said that once candidates are elected, voters must follow their actions and demand fulfilment of commitments made during the campaign, noting that accountability is central to building trust between leaders and the public.

According to the President, the Banadir elections are part of steps taken by the government to fulfil its pledge to move toward elections based on the principle of one person, one vote.

In his remarks, the President placed strong emphasis on voter registration and the role of the voter card in the process, describing it as a sign of citizenship and the power to make choices.

'Voting card is personal property'

“The voting card is your personal property. It is proof of citizenship and gives you the right to decide your future, the future of your children, your security, your environment, and the services you need,” he said, while encouraging residents to collect their cards and take part fully in the process.

He explained that decisions made at the district level affect access to services, public order, and relations between citizens and authorities, and that these decisions also influence governance at higher levels.

Figures released by the National Electoral and Boundaries Commission show that close to two hundred thousand voters have already collected their cards, despite the fact that almost one million people registered to take part in the polls. The commission said the process of card collection remains open as preparations continue ahead of election day, which has been set for 25 December 2025.

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