Sunday 2,March -2025 {HMC} The National Independent Electoral Commission (NIEC) has on Saturday announced the dates for by-elections to fill two vacant seats in Somalia’s Lower House of Parliament.
The vacancies were created following the appointments of Saadaq Omar Hassan, commonly known as Saadaq Joon, as Deputy Director of the National Intelligence and Security Agency (NISA), and Mustaf Sheikh Ali Dhuxulow as Director of the Somali Immigration and Citizenship Agency.
The commission has scheduled the election for seat HOP#248, previously held by Saadaq Joon, for March 6, while the vote for seat HOP#049, vacated by Dhuxulow, will take place on March 8.
Three additional seats remain unfilled in the House of the People. Abdullahi Sanbaloolshe previously occupied one before his appointment as Director of the Somali National Security Agency. The other two seats were left vacant following the passing of MPs Khadija Mohamed Diiriye and Seeseey.
On January 25, House Speaker Sheikh Adan Mohamed Nur Madoobe formally urged the Electoral Commission to expedite the process of filling all five vacant seats to ensure full parliamentary representation.
The upcoming by-elections are expected to play a crucial role in strengthening the legislative body amid ongoing political and security challenges in Somalia.
