Banadir Regional Administration Declares Full Emergency Readiness Ahead of Mogadishu Local Elections
Banadir authorities have placed all emergency and security units on full alert in Mogadishu ahead of Thursday’s one-person, one-vote local elections, aiming to protect voters and polling staff across the capital.
The Banadir Regional Administration has announced a full emergency readiness status for all rapid response and emergency service units in Mogadishu, as the capital prepares to hold direct local council elections on Thursday.
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday, Banadir Governor and Mayor of Mogadishu, Hassan Mohamed Hussein (Muungaab) said all emergency response departments under the Mogadishu Municipality have been placed on high alert to ensure public safety during the voting process.
According to Mayor Muungaab, the city has fully deployed ambulances, fire trucks, and water tankers, which will remain on standby throughout election day to respond to any emergencies involving voters or polling staff.
“The Benadir Regional Administration is assuring tax-paying citizens that they can cast their votes without fear. All emergency response units—ambulances and fire services—are fully prepared and operational,” the mayor said.
The preparedness effort involves municipal emergency services, alongside national security forces, including the Somali Police Force, National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA), and the Rapid Response Police Unit. These forces will be deployed across major roads and polling areas throughout the capital.
Thursday’s vote marks a significant moment in Somalia’s political transition, as Mogadishu conducts one-person, one-vote local council elections, a process that has historically faced security and logistical challenges. Authorities say safeguarding voters—many expected to stand in long queues—is a top priority.
“The objective is to protect citizens participating in the vote and ensure their safety while they wait in polling lines,” Muungaab emphasized. “Our emergency teams are on full standby to fulfill that responsibility.”
The mayor confirmed that security checkpoints and patrols will be intensified, with special forces assigned to handle any unexpected incidents. He stressed that security personnel are already positioned along major streets and strategic locations across Mogadishu.
The announcement comes a day after the National Independent Electoral Commission officially concluded the election campaigns of political organizations and released the final list of polling stations across Mogadishu’s districts. Authorities expect a high voter turnout, increasing the need for tight coordination between electoral bodies, emergency responders, and security agencies.
With emergency services mobilized and security forces deployed, the Banadir Regional Administration says the capital is ready to deliver a safe and orderly election day. While challenges remain in a city long affected by security threats, officials are projecting confidence that voters will be able to exercise their democratic rights without disruption—an important test for Somalia’s evolving electoral process.
" width="1392" height="928" />
