Mogadishu, Somalia — Somalia’s bicameral parliament on Monday unanimously passed a series of electoral reforms that mark a significant step toward adopting a universal suffrage voting system.

The newly approved legislation, introduced by Interior Minister Ali Yusuf Ali Hoosh, outlines comprehensive laws governing election procedures, political party regulation, and the creation of an independent electoral commission. The reforms were met with full support, with all 170 lawmakers in attendance voting in favor. Second Deputy Speaker Sadia Yassin Haji Samatar confirmed there were no dissenting votes or abstentions.

This legislative milestone aligns with the National Consultative Council’s (NCC) objective of establishing a cohesive, nationwide voting system aimed at strengthening national unity through democratic processes. The Ministry of the Interior emphasized that these reforms are critical for realizing the NCC’s vision of a unified electoral approach.

Earlier, an interim parliamentary committee tasked with preparing these laws elected Mahdi Guled, former deputy prime minister, as chairman, and Senator Iftin Hassan Iman Baasto as deputy chairman. Their leadership is seen as pivotal in overseeing the NCC’s scheduled electoral process, which includes local, regional, and municipal elections in June 2025, followed by national elections in September 2025.

The Ministry of Interior has called on Jubbaland and other regional states to comply with the NCC’s agreements, underscoring the importance of a unified electoral strategy for promoting stability and democratic governance across Somalia.