Galmudug election results announced amid political debate

Somalia’s Independent National Electoral and Boundaries Commission has announced the results of the re-run elections for the Galmudug House of Representatives and local councils. In the House of Representatives election, 109,475 votes were cast, with 106,374 declared valid. The local council elections saw a similar turnout, with 106,894 valid votes recorded out of 109,475. This re-run follows the annulment of a previous election due to legal challenges regarding conduct.

The elections are part of Somalia’s broader transition toward a one-person, one-vote system. However, the process has faced criticism regarding political influence. The Justice and Solidarity Party (JSP), led by President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, reportedly secured a commanding majority in Galmudug, winning 67 of the 89 parliamentary seats.

Critics argue that because the state parliament determines the presidency, the JSP’s dominance may turn the executive selection into a confirmation exercise rather than a competitive contest. The party is reportedly backing Libaan Axmed Xasan for the Galmudug presidency. While the transition to direct elections continues in other regions like Banadir and Hirshabelle, the credibility of the process remains a central point of debate.