Mogadishu — Representatives of Somalia’s Federal Government and opposition political groups have presented differing proposals for the country’s future electoral system during a meeting in Mogadishu aimed at advancing political dialogue.
The discussions, organised by the United Nations Transitional Assistance Mission in Somalia (UNTMIS), were attended by representatives of the European Union, the United Kingdom, the United States and Turkey, alongside Somali political stakeholders.
During the meeting, the opposition-aligned Future Council presented an electoral proposal centred on a one-person-one-vote system. Under the proposal, voter registration and polling would take place simultaneously across the country on a single day.
The Future Council also proposed that the elections continue under Somalia’s existing 4.5 power-sharing formula, with the process overseen by two electoral commissions representing the Federal Government of Somalia (FGS) and the Federal Member States.
According to the Future Council, the proposal is intended as a transitional arrangement capable of bringing together the country’s political actors. The group argues that combining universal suffrage with the existing power-sharing framework could help build consensus, while joint management of the electoral process would strengthen confidence among competing political stakeholders.
Meanwhile, the Federal Government of Somalia, together with the political parties Peace & Life (Nabad & Nolol ) and Unity Council (Golaha Midnimo), reiterated support for a one-person-one-vote electoral system based on a political party model.
Their proposal calls for elections to be administered by a single national electoral commission with responsibility for the entire country. Supporters of the plan argue that a unified electoral body would promote consistency in election management and improve the transparency of the electoral process.
The meeting formed part of ongoing efforts to encourage dialogue between the Federal Government and Somalia’s political stakeholders as the country seeks agreement on a broadly accepted electoral framework.
