Residents of Somalia's capital Mogadishu voted on Thursday (December 25) in municipal elections meant to pave the way for the East African country's first direct national polls in more than half a century.

Mogadishu

Residents of Mogadishu cast their ballots in municipal elections, an event seen as a significant step toward Somalia's first direct national polls since 1969. The elections mark a departure from the longstanding clan-based, indirect system, where clan representatives select lawmakers who then choose the president and mayor.

The National Electoral Commission reported that 1,605 candidates competed for 390 district council seats, with council members set to select the mayor. Security was heightened, with around 10,000 personnel deployed and major city infrastructure temporarily closed to ensure a safe voting process.

Polls open in Mogadishu as city tests break from clan-based system

With the potential to pave the way for Somalia's first direct national polls in more than half a century, residents of its capital Mogadishu voted on Thursday in municipal elections. With the exception of votes in the semi-autonomous region of Puntland and the breakaway region of Somaliland, Somalia last held direct elections in 1969. That was months before military general Mohamed Siad Barre took power in a coup. After years of civil war that followed Barre's fall in 1991, indirect elections were introduced in 2004. The idea was to promote consensus among rival clans in the face of an Islamist insurgency. But some Somalis say politicians prefer indirect elections because they create opportunities for corruption. Under the system, clan representatives elect lawmakers, who then choose the president. The president in turn has been responsible for appointing Mogadishu's mayor. The capital is home to three million people. Security conditions have improved in recent years despite continuing attacks by al-Qaeda-linked al-Shabaab militants. The vote is seen as a test run for direct elections at a national level. The National Electoral Commission said 1,605 candidates are running for 390 posts in Mogadishu's district councils. Council members will then choose a mayor. Mogadishu's streets were closed to vehicle traffic and the airport, port and businesses remained closed for the vote. The Electoral Commission also said about 10,000 security personnel were deployed at polling stations.

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