Finding Common Ground: Towards a Compromise Electoral Framework for Somalia’s Future Federal Elections - Somali Public Agenda

Governance Briefs

Finding Common Ground: Towards a Compromise Electoral Framework for Somalia’s Future Federal Elections

Although the four electoral proposals differ in their institutional design, they all support direct elections and retain the 4.5 clan power-sharing formula, providing a strong foundation for political compromise.

The principal areas of disagreement concern the electoral system, constituency design, election management, voter registration, and the method of electing the Upper House. Important implementation issues—including women’s political representation, Northeastern State’s parliamentary representation, and the legal basis of the elections—also remain unresolved.

This Governance Brief argues that these differences are not irreconcilable. It proposes a compromise electoral framework that combines the most practical elements of the four proposals, including a First-Past-the-Post (FPTP) electoral system, geographically allocated clan constituencies, an independent federal election management body, party-affiliated and independent candidates, paper-based same-day voter registration and voting, a revised process for electing the Upper House, and practical measures to safeguard women’s political representation.

Finding Common Ground: Towards a Compromise Electoral Framework for Somalia’s Future Federal Elections

SPA_Governance_Briefs_48_2026_ENGLISH

Download PDF67 Downloads

Share This:

Somali Public Agenda

Similar Posts

Strengthening Citizen Participation and Accountability in North Galkacyo Local Governance: Challenges, Opportunities, and Policy Priorities

July 20, 2026

Strengthening Local Governance in South Galkacyo: Challenges and Opportunities

June 29, 2026

From Elections to Expectations: Citizen Perspectives and Municipal Governance in Qardho

April 7, 2026

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Somali Public Agenda (SPA) is a non-profit, non-partisan, and independent public policy and administration research and action organization based in Mogadishu. It aims to advance understanding and improvement of public policy and services in Somalia through evidence-based research and analysis, dialogue, policy and service design, and training.

Latest Posts

Short cuts

Research Reports

Governance Briefs

Radio Highlights

Subscribe to SPA newsletter

Stay updated on governance and public services in Somalia!

Title

.