In a decisive move aimed at securing the integrity of Somalia’s electoral future, the National Electoral Commission (NEC) has on wednesday unveiled a comprehensive national voter registration update plan. This announcement follows nearly seven months of intense consultations and technical reviews with the country’s Three National Political Parties and the Federal Government.
Citing its mandate under Article 47 of the National Elections and Voter Registration Law (Law No. 91/2023), which empowers the Commission to determine the method and process for re-opening the voter registry before any election, the NEC has charted a clear and actionable path forward.
A Process Rooted in Consultation
As detailed in the Commission’s initial statement (nec1), this decision culminates a lengthy democratic process. Starting in May 2025, the NEC presented three distinct voter registration options—historical models previously used in 2016, 2021, and 2023—to the political stakeholders. A series of meetings ensued from June to December 2025 in pursuit of a unified national consensus.
While the Three National Parties ultimately submitted separate and differing opinions, the NEC has now exercised its statutory authority to make a final ruling, integrating considerations from these consultations and the paramount need for timely elections.
The Six-Pillar Registration Plan
The operational directive issued by the Commission outlines a six-point plan:
-
Foundation on Existing Data: The update will utilize the existing voter registry as its foundation, conducting a systematic Update rather than a full re-registration from scratch.
-
Comprehensive Inclusivity: The process will comprehensively cover:
-
All citizens who have newly reached voting age.
-
All individuals who have lost their voter cards, who will be issued replacements.
-
All voters wishing to change their designated polling stations.
-
-
Nationwide Access: The update will be conducted through a network of 500 registration centers distributed across the federal member states and districts.
-
Data Integrity: A critical cleansing and verification of the current voter data will be undertaken, following technical recommendations from independent experts who previously audited the registry.
-
Transparency & Oversight: The entire process of data cleaning and registration will be transparent and open, with the Three National Parties participating in oversight.
-
Clear Timeline: The NEC has committed to a concrete deadline, announcing it will conclude a nationwide assessment by the end of January 2026. Following this, it will publish a detailed operational timetable for the final voter list certification and the subsequent execution of elections in accordance with national laws.
A Pivotal Moment for Somaliland Democracy
The NEC announcement represents a significant step toward breaking the cycle of electoral delays. By choosing to update the existing registry, the NEC aims for efficiency and continuity, while the emphases on data cleaning, multi-party oversight, and a firm January deadline address long-standing concerns about credibility and timeliness.
All eyes will now be on the Commission’s capacity to implement this ambitious plan across Somalia’s regions within the stated timeframe. The successful execution of this voter registry update is widely seen as the essential precursor to credible and accepted national elections, marking a potential turning point for Somalia’s democratic trajectory.
—END—
Source: National Electoral Commission (NEC) Press Statements, December 24, 2025.
