Somalia: Presidential election commences in the capital, first round kicked off

Image

MOGADISHU, Somalia- The presidential election for Somalia has commenced in the capital Mogadishu, under tight security measures on Wednesday, Garowe Online reports.

The Speaker of the 10th Federal Parliament, Mohamed Osman Jawari, officially started the event and noted that the ballot will be concluded once a candidate wins a majority votes from the members of both Lower and Upper Houses.

A candidate can win the ballot in the first round of voting, if he obtains majority two-third of the votes but analysts say that it’s highly unlikely to occur amid stiff competition from opposition candidates. 

4 candidates with the most votes will advance to the second round, and if a candidate didn’t receive majority votes, 2 candidates will only progress to the last third round to compete for the presidency.  

21 presidential aspirants are competing for the top office in the country, whereas MPs and Senators will cast their votes in a secret ballot to elect the 9th President of Somalia.

GAROWEONLINE

Related Articles

International Partners Weigh Sanctions and Policy Shifts as Somalia’s Political Crisis Deepens

The group collectively condemned the lack of inclusivity in these political shifts, according to the sources at the meeting.

  • Somalia

    07-05-2026

  • 11:01AM

Somalia on edge as opposition calls mass protests amid deadly clashes in Mogadishu

The federal government has not yet publicly responded to the opposition’s accusations or the reported casualties from the clashes.

  • Somalia

    07-05-2026

  • 10:52AM