Benadir Council Vote: What You Need to Know as Mogadishu Turns Out
Voting is underway across Mogadishu in the Benadir Regional Council elections, with 20 parties competing in a rare direct local vote that will shape district councils and influence the city’s mayor.
Voting in the Benadir Regional Council elections is continuing across Mogadishu, with polling stations opening early Thursday morning and residents steadily turning out to cast their ballots in what is being hailed as a landmark democratic exercise.
Balloting began at 6:00 a.m. local time in polling centers across the districts of the Benadir Region. Voters lined up from the early hours, marking the first time in decades that residents of Somalia’s capital are directly participating in local government elections.
A total of 20 political parties and associations are competing in the elections, which will determine the composition of district councils across Mogadishu. The outcome will shape local governance and influence the selection of the city’s mayor.
Polling is underway in districts throughout the Benadir Region, with election officials reporting an orderly process and visible public engagement.
Several members of the Somali federal cabinet have publicly shared images and videos of themselves voting, posting on social media platforms to encourage citizen participation and underscore the national significance of the election.
The Benadir Regional Council elections are widely seen as a critical step toward restoring direct voting rights and strengthening democratic governance in Somalia. After decades of indirect political systems, the ongoing vote represents a shift toward citizen-led decision-making at the local level.
Photos from polling stations show voters—men and women alike—queuing patiently, electoral staff verifying voters, and security personnel maintaining a strong presence to ensure the process remains safe and uninterrupted.
As voting continues throughout the day, the scenes emerging from Mogadishu tell a powerful story: a city cautiously reclaiming its democratic voice. While political debates persist and challenges remain, the images from today’s polls reflect a significant moment in Somalia’s political journey—one defined not by speeches, but by ballots.
