Residents in parts of Galmudug and Hirshabelle today headed to polling stations, where simultaneous elections for the House of Representatives and Local Councils are being held.
The Chairman of the Independent National Electoral and Boundaries Commission, Abdikarim Ahmed Hassan, officially opened the elections in the city of Dhusamareeb. Galmudug is holding a repeat election, while Hirshabelle is holding a one-person, one-vote election for the first time.
The Galmudug election is taking place in 11 cities and surrounding areas, with 12 political organizations competing. Hirshabelle is holding elections in 12 cities across Hiiraan and Middle Shabelle, with various political organizations competing.
Security has been significantly strengthened in the cities where the elections are taking place. Additional security forces have been deployed around polling stations, while vehicle movement has been restricted in some areas.
The Galmudug election is being held again after the Supreme Court annulled the results of the July 30, 2026 election on August 24, ordering that a new election be conducted.
Hirshabelle is entering the election amid political disagreements over the process and timing of the election, particularly in Hiiraan, where officials from the administration had previously called for a political agreement before the election was held.
