Somalia's Electoral Commission Prepares 5,000 Staff for Banadir Elections

The Chairman urged the officers to fully uphold neutrality, fairness, and professional ethics, and to treat all political parties and election observers equally. He stressed that the responsibility they will bear on election day will directly influence public perceptions towards future polls.

“You will be undertaking a task that is simple yet demanding. What is required of you is to serve the Somali people who will turn out that day—facilitating voters, organizing queues, carrying out your assigned duties fairly, and ensuring justice for competing parties and observers,” Hassan said.

The Commission said the preparations are part of broader efforts to ensure voters receive efficient services and that a secure electoral environment is created. The staff are expected to be deployed to polling stations across Mogadishu’s various districts.

The hiring and training of election staff comes at a time when Villa Somalia is insisting on the implementation of one-person, one-vote elections, while opposition groups argue that the process is neither fair nor feasible under the current circumstances.