MOGADISHU — Somalia’s National Electoral Commission announced that 20 political parties have officially submitted their candidate lists for the upcoming local council elections in the Banadir region.
The commission confirmed that the candidate registration process has now formally ended, following an extension that allowed parties more time to submit their lists. The submission period began on November 25 and closed on December 10.
Earlier this year, a total of 61 political parties registered to take part in the elections, but most have since withdrawn from the race.
The 20 parties that submitted their final lists will now compete in the polls, scheduled for December 25 in Mogadishu.
“The compilation of candidate lists has been completed. Initially 12 parties were participating, then 18, and finally 20 political parties successfully submitted their lists,” the commission said in a statement.
The development means the majority of registered parties will not participate in the Banadir local council elections, narrowing the field for voters in the upcoming polls.
