MOGADISHU — The National Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (NIEBC) has officially announced a delay in the submission deadline for candidate applications for the South West State electoral process, while also confirming the polling date for the upcoming regional elections.
The decision comes as part of ongoing preparations to ensure a credible and inclusive electoral process in the region, which has been at the center of intense political maneuvering following the federal government’s intervention last month.
NIEBC Technical Mission Visits Baidoa
In early April 2026, a technical delegation from the NIEBC traveled to Baidoa, the administrative capital of South West State, to coordinate with local authorities on the implementation of the upcoming one-person, one-vote elections NIEBC Technical Mission Arrives in Baidoa to Coordinate One-Person, One-Vote Elections. The team held meetings with the South West State Interim Administration to assess operational requirements, map out polling stations, and finalize logistical arrangements for the electoral process.
Chairperson of the NIEBC, Abdikarin Hassan, previously confirmed upon arrival in Baidoa that South West State would hold parliamentary and district council elections on April 28, stating that “these elections are an important step in ensuring public participation and the development of democracy in the Southwest” Goobjoog News.
Federal Government Commits to One-Person, One-Vote
Federal authorities remain committed to implementing universal suffrage in South West State. Prime Minister Hamza Abdi Barre has declared that there will be no elections in Baidoa or across South West other than a one-person, one-vote process, warning opposition politicians who have expressed support for ousted leader Abdiasis Laftagareen against attempting any alternative electoral framework Somalia Implements Curfew, Arms Ban in Baidoa Amid Political Unrest.
“We will not allow, in any way, disorder, revenge, clan-based discrimination or any trouble in Baidoa,” Prime Minister Hamza stated.
Political Transition Following Federal Intervention
The electoral process follows the dramatic federal intervention in South West State. On March 30, former President Abdiaziz Hassan Mohamed (Laftagareen) officially resigned after heavily armed Somali National Army troops and allied clan militias seized control of Baidoa Southwest State President Resigns as Federal Forces Seize Baidoa. Following intense, closed-door negotiations with federal officials, Laftagareen agreed to step down and subsequently departed for Nairobi, Kenya.
The federal intervention came after escalating political tensions between Mogadishu and Baidoa. Federal forces commenced strategic military movements from Buurhakaba toward regional defenses outside Baidoa, signaling a potential armed confrontation over the intensifying electoral dispute. The military operation followed the deployment of approximately 2,000 federal soldiers to Buurhakaba.
Opposition Backing for Ousted Leadership
The federal government’s intervention has drawn sharp criticism from regional states. The Somali Future Council — a powerful political alliance comprising the regional governments of Jubbaland and Puntland, alongside the Salvation Forum — issued a formal public statement endorsing Laftagareen’s challenge to the central government’s authority. The council declared complete support for South West State’s decision to conduct independent, “free and fair” regional elections, demonstrating a united front against Mogadishu’s proposed electoral framework.
Schedule for Galmudug and Hirshabelle Elections
Beyond South West State, the NIEBC has also announced election dates for other federal member states. Elections in Galmudug and Hirshabelle will be held on May 13, 2026. The commission confirmed that the contests in Galmudug and Hirshabelle would be held simultaneously, with voting for both the House of Representatives and local councils taking place on the same day in each state.
The electoral commission has already delivered the first batch of previously registered voter cards to Dhusamareb, the administrative capital of Galmudug State, with designated distribution zones including the districts of Dhusamareb, Guriel, Herale, Harardhere, Adado, and Galkayo.
Security Preparations in Baidoa
In preparation for the upcoming elections, Somali security forces have enhanced their presence in Baidoa. The Somali Police Force’s Counter-Terrorism Command, along with the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA), has deployed additional personnel to key locations throughout the city. Authorities have also implemented access controls and intensified security checks to prevent potential disruptions.
Police units, national intelligence agents, and Special Forces have expanded their operations throughout the city, with dedicated units assigned to preserve domestic stability and extra personnel positioned at the city’s perimeters. Government officials have set up numerous inspection points to examine vehicles and individuals, conducting thorough searches and verification processes to mitigate potential security risks.
Commitment to Democratic Process
The federal government’s objective remains to restore constitutional order and ensure that South West State aligns with the broader electoral framework, which emphasizes direct elections and the transition to a one-person, one-vote system. The push for direct elections, however, faces strong opposition from the presidents of Puntland and Jubaland, who are united in the Somali Future Council, reflecting deeper fissures within Somalia’s federal system as the nation approaches highly contentious national elections due this year.
The NIEBC’s decision to delay the submission deadline for candidate applications reflects the commission’s commitment to ensuring an inclusive and credible electoral process, allowing adequate time for all qualified candidates to participate in the historic vote. If completed as scheduled, the South West State elections would mark one of the most significant electoral experiments in Somalia in decades, testing the country’s capacity to transition from negotiated power-sharing to direct public voting at the regional level.
