Somalia’s Minister of Interior, Federal Affairs and Reconciliation, H.E. Ali Yusuf Ali, accompanied by senior government officials, conducted a high-level visit to the headquarters of the National Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (NIEBC) to assess preparations ahead of the Banadir Local Council elections scheduled for 25 December 2025.

Officials said the visit focused on reviewing the commission’s technical and logistical readiness as Somalia transitions toward a one-person, one-vote electoral system, a move described as a major step in the country’s electoral history.

Registered voters across Banadir’s 17 districts are expected to participate in the vote, which is set to take place within the next seven days.

The NIEBC reported that more than 200,000 voters have already collected their voter cards, while noting the need to accelerate distribution to reach close to one million residents in the Banadir region.