Mogadishu, Somalia — Somalia’s bicameral parliament on Monday approved significant electoral reforms aimed at transitioning to a universal suffrage system.
The legislation, which includes laws on election processes, political parties, and the establishment of an electoral commission, was introduced by Interior Minister Ali Yusuf Ali Hoosh.
The bills received unanimous approval from all 170 lawmakers present. Second Deputy Speaker Sadia Yassin Haji Samatar confirmed there were no dissenting votes or abstentions during the session.
The newly passed laws align with the National Consultative Council (NCC) agreement, which advocates for a comprehensive voting system throughout Somalia. The Ministry of the Interior highlighted that this legislative move supports the NCC’s vision for national unity through democratic processes.
Prior to this legislative session, an interim parliamentary committee tasked with drafting these laws elected Mahdi Guled, a former deputy prime minister, as its chairman, and Senator Iftin Hassan Iman Baasto as deputy chairman.
Their leadership is seen as pivotal for implementing the NCC’s scheduled elections, which include local, regional, and municipal elections in June 2025, followed by national elections in September.
The Ministry of Interior has called on the regional state of Jubbaland and others to comply with the NCC agreements, emphasizing the need for a cohesive electoral strategy nationwide to ensure stability and democratic governance in Somalia.
